Please call our wildlife hospital hotline (541-441-7193) if you have found an injured or orphaned bat.

Understanding Bats: When to Help

• Oregon is home to 15 species of insectivorous bats, many of which live in southern Oregon. Many species of bats in Oregon are in decline due to habitat loss, white-nose syndrome, declining insect populations, and more. Insectivorous bats help control pest insect populations!

Found a Bat on the Ground?

• If you find a bat on the ground, observe the bat from a distance to see if it has any visible injuries. NEVER handle a bat with your bare hands as they are rabies vectors. It can be common to find bats on the ground, especially during spells of cold weather, but it may indicate that the bat is injured or ill. Please call our Wildlife Hospital hotline at 541-441-7193 before intervening and bringing the bat in.

Injured Bats

• Bats that are obviously injured (i.e., broken bones, holes in wings, bleeding, stuck in glue traps, etc.), should be brought to Wildlife Images as soon as possible for medical assistance.

How to Contain an Injured Bat

• Using a plastic container, cup, or cardboard box, gently cover the bat and slide a piece of paper or other material underneath the container. Flip the container over and cover the top of the container with a secure lid. Bring the bat to Wildlife Images for medical care and rehabilitation during our patient intake hours, 9am-4:30pm 7 days a week. We prefer if you call ahead so we can prepare for the animal’s arrival, and to ensure that our clinic is able to provide rehabilitation services.

Orphaned Bats

• Orphaned bats should be attempted to be reunited with their mother. If the mother is deceased or reuniting is not successful, please call our Wildlife Hospital hotline at 541-441-7193 for further assistance. 

Reuniting a Baby Bat

• Choose a location nearby where the baby bat was originally found. Do not place the baby directly underneath the roost. Place a towel or blanket on a slanted surface and place a barrier around the towel so the baby cannot leave the area.
• Provide a source of heat, such as a warmed water bottle, a heating pad set to low, or hand warmers that the baby can access if it becomes too cold.
• Wait until dusk to place the baby on the towel. Leave the baby outdoors for a minimum of five hours to see if mom returns to collect her baby. It can take up to three days of trying for a successful reunification.
• If reuniting is not possible or not successful, please call our Wildlife Hospital hotline at 541-441-7193 for further assistance.

***Do NOT offer food or water to an injured, sick, or orphaned animal unless instructed to do so by clinic staff. Many species require a specialized diet or formula, and young animals and birds can be easily aspirated without proper training and equipment.***