Bat Rescue WA

🦇Happy Bat Appreciation Day! 🦇

Bats don’t always get the love they deserve, but they play a huge role in keeping ecosystems healthy pollinating plants, spreading seeds, and controlling insect populations. A single bat can eat thousands of insects in one night, which is pretty incredible when you think about it.🐾

It’s also important recognizing the people behind the scenes rehabilitators, researchers, and conservationists who step in when bats are injured, displaced, or threatened by habitat loss and disease. Their work quietly makes a big difference.
If you’re celebrating today, even small actions help: learning about local bat species, supporting conservation groups, or simply sharing awareness like you just did.💜

Those flying mammals really are worth appreciating 🥳

Have you been keeping hydrated? 💧

Hydration isn’t just important for us, it’s vital for
wildlife too.

We wanted to share the difference it can make, using a Gould’s wattled bat as an example.
The first image shows a dehydrated bat with sunken shoulders, while the second shows a well-hydrated, healthier one with plumper shoulders.
The difference is striking.❗️

Dehydration can be very dangerous for animals. Without enough water, their bodies struggle to regulate temperature, organs can begin to fail, and they become weak and unable to hunt or escape predators. Australian wildlife vets and rehabilitators often see this during hot weather, and in small animals like bats, it can become life-threatening very quickly.

Access to clean, safe drinking water is just as important as access to water itself. Dirty or contaminated water can spread disease and make already vulnerable animals even sicker. Refreshing water regularly and keeping containers clean can make a big difference.

Leaving out clean water sources can help wildlife thrive both day and night. As a bonus, bats will also help control unwanted insects.🦟🪲

Want to make your space bat-friendly? 🦇
• Provide a shallow water bowl with pebbles for safe access
• Add a branch so animals can climb out and prevent drowning
• If you have a pond, avoid netting where possible
• Keep in mind most bats drink while in flight, so open access to water is key

⚠️ If you see a bat that looks like the first image and it’s on the ground, please do not handle it.
Contact:
Bat Rescue WA on 0426 134 908
The Wildcare Helpline (08 9474 9055), or see our pinned list of contacts at the top of our page.

A small effort from us can make a life-saving difference for them.💜

🚨 URGENT SUPPORT NEEDED – EXMOUTH WILDLIFE RESPONSE

WA Wildlife is currently supporting the amazing team at Balu Blue Foundation who are working around the clock at the moment with limited resources to care for sick and injured wildlife.

WA Wildlife is currently working alongside wildlife rehabilitators in Exmouth, who are experiencing an overwhelming influx of wildlife.

We’re talking marine turtles, hundreds of sea snakes, seabirds, mammals, and native birds all coming in at once - and local teams are overwhelmed.

There is a driver heading up Monday morning with emergency supplies and we’re urgently calling on our community for help.

📍 Donations can be dropped off at the WA Wildlife Hospital (172 Hope Road Bibra Lake) before Monday morning 9am.

General Handling & Housing

• Spare towels:
• Collapsible pet crates (mixed sizes):
• Crop feeding sets (tubes, syringes, lubricant):
• Syringes (1ml–20ml):
• Electrolytes (e.g. Spark):
• Insectivore mix:
• Frozen fish: 5–10 kg
• Subcutaneous fluids (Hartmann’s/Saline):
• Snake handling equipment (hooks/poles):
• Heavy-duty / Kevlar gloves:
• Chest fridges/freezers: 2 units (HIGH PRIORITY)
• Scissors (medical/general): 3–5

If you want to donate money, please donate here. WA Wildlife will use the funds to keep supporting wildlife in the coming weeks affected by the cyclone. Any left over funds from this donation appeal will be kept in a separate fund and used for regional wildlife care in the future. When donating via the link below, select Cyclone Recovery from the drop down menu. If donating via our bank, use 'Cyclone Recovery' as the description.

https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=JPSCU5PXJD5FN

or visit

https://wawildlife.org.au/support/bequests-and-donations/

or EFT

Account Name: Native ARC Incorporated
BSB: 036019
Account No: 395908

*Please email your EFT receipt to [email protected] so we can provide you with a tax deductible receipt.

This is one of those moments where the wildlife sector pulls together 💚

If you can help - whether it’s one item or several - it will make a real difference.

📍 Drop off: WA Wildlife Hospital, Bibra Lake
📞 Questions: (08) 9417 7105

Thank you for supporting wildlife when they need it most.

‼️Tropical Cyclone Narelle is currently active 🌧️💨

Heavy winds and rain can cause serious harm to our native wildlife, leaving many animals injured, orphaned, or displaced from their habitats 🐾

Please stay alert and keep an eye out in your area, especially after strong winds or flooding. Wildlife may be found on roadsides, in backyards, or sheltering in unusual places.

📞 If you find injured or displaced wildlife:

☎️Wildcare Helpline: 9474 9055

🦇 For bats, DO NOT handle them contact Bat Rescue WA: 0426 134 908

📞You can also contact the pinned list of contacts at the top of our page

💡 What to do while waiting for help:
• Gently pick up small animals using a towel or cloth (this helps reduce stress and prevents injury to you and the animal)
• Place them in a secure, well-ventilated box lined with a towel if possible
• Keep them in a warm, quiet, and dark place away from pets, children, and noise
• Avoid handling more than necessary, as stress can be fatal for wildlife

⚠️ Important:
• Do NOT give food or water (this can cause serious harm if done incorrectly)
• Do NOT attempt to treat injuries yourself unless you are trained in veterinary medicine or a wildlife carer

📍 Helpful tips:
• Take note of the exact location where the animal was found, this is crucial for their safe release back into their territory
• If you come across a deceased marsupial on the roadside, check the pouch for joeys if it is safe to do so
• Always ensure your own safety, especially near roads or during severe weather

🏥 Remember:
24-hour veterinary clinics can accept wildlife and will coordinate with registered wildlife carers💜

Every small action can make a big difference in helping our wildlife survive during extreme weather events 🐾

Please share this post to help spread awareness and support our native animals.💜

Tessa’s Reptile Services does amazing work !

Im sorry to say but the fuel prices are affecting my ability to afford doing callouts as my job involves ALOT of driving .

Last week alone , I did 890km and I just cant afford to absorb the cost of helping out in the community any longer. I will still try to help pensioners and disability card holders for free.

Thsnk you to everyone who kindly gives me fuel donations up until now , but unfortunately I have to charge $100 per callout for the public as my fuel costs have tripled costing me up to $600 a week in diesel, so Im using my daughters buzz box to save money but I need to charge for calls from now on.

Im so sorry to make this post as I understand we are all in the same boat struggling with the increasing cost of living, but my job requires fuel to keep people safe so I have to charge due to the current increases in fuel costs .

Great information 🦇

🦇To support positive outcomes for both people and bats, we’ve launched a new Bats in Buildings FAQ.

This guide provides practical advice and answers to common questions, drawing on the combined expertise of ABS members, including researchers, carers, and specialists.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this resource possible!

https://www.ausbats.org.au/bats-in-buildings-faq.html

⚠️ Bat Safety Reminder for Our Community

There have been recent posts circulating about bats in the Wheatbelt. We’d like to share some clear and accurate information to help people stay safe while also understanding the important role bats play in our environment.

🦇 Please do not handle bats, even if they appear sick, injured, or unable to fly. In Australia, bats can carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus, a rare virus related to rabies that can be transmitted through bites or scratches. Because of this only trained, vaccinated and licensed wildlife carers should handle them.

It’s also important to remember that microbats are not aggressive and do not harm people directly. They do not attack humans or seek us out. The main risk only occurs if someone tries to touch or handle them, especially if the bat is injured or distressed and may bite in self-defence hence why you should contact:

•📞Wildcare Helpline 08 9474 9055

•💜Bat Rescue WA 0426 134 908

or see our list of contacts pinned at the top of our page.

Microbats are actually incredibly beneficial to our communities and ecosystems. A single microbat can eat thousands of insects in one night, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests. This helps naturally control insect populations and supports local farming and healthy ecosystems. They are quiet, shy animals that spend their nights hunting insects and their days resting in trees, buildings, or other sheltered spaces. 🦟🪲

The best way to stay safe is also the simplest: appreciate bats from a distance and never touch them. By giving them space, we protect both people and the bats themselves.

If you see a bat on the ground or in trouble:
• Keep your distance
• Keep children and pets away
•CONTACT:
📞Wildcare Helpline
08 9474 9055
🦇Bat Rescue WA
0426 134 908
💙Bluebush Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc.
0410 222 365
🐾Kanyana Wildlife
08 9291 3900

⛑️If you are bitten or scratched by a bat:
1. Wash the wound immediately with (antibacterial) soap and water for at least 15 minutes
2. Apply an antiseptic such as chlorhex, betadine or hand sanitiser if available
3. Seek medical attention as soon as possible

Bats are a natural and valuable part of our environment. With a little understanding and by respecting their space, we can safely coexist with these fascinating animals.🐾

Thank you for helping keep our community informed and safe. 🦇💜