Bats are wild animals and, although not naturally aggressive, may become so when scared or in pain
Gloves should be worn when handling bats – the thickness of the glove will depend on the species you are dealing with and the dty being carried out (e.g. handling, feeding, treating an injury, etc). A full list of suitable gloves are available from the BCT
A record should be kept of every individual that handles the bat
Separate gloves, to prevent disease transmission should be used when handling different bats. For example disposable gloves can worn over the top of other gloves
Handling of the bat should be kept to a minimum – some of the initial diagnoses can be carried out without handling the bat itself (see rescue and collection). This will reduce stress to the bat and reduce human contact.
It is paramount that consideration be given to the health and safety of the bat and the handler.