Last edited Tue Jul 28, 2020, 06:35 AM - Edit history (1)
My neighbor didnt kill the first one like i thought.. he just tossed it into the woods with a shovel. I was relieved..i dont like killing animals and after all these bats have been part of our environment for as long as we have lived here.
Next day hubbys in the yard and by gum theres another one alive, floundering in the yard right near where the other one was relocated. Hubby again tossed it into the woods. NOW I'm thinking that was the same bat..crippled but crawling back ...to her pups?
Then major guilt set it.
I went on line and searched all I could about ill bats etc and rabies is the very last thing discussed as a reason for sick animals. I knew about the bat White Nose Syndrome but I always thought it effected them in the winter and Ive never seen dead ones in the snow..and its relatively rare in the west. But the map of verified cases included my county....the only county in wash state! There was a form on line to report suspected cases so I filled that out. And...even if a bat recovers, there can be lasting effects such as..weakness and inability to fly! Its like bat Covid. Im thinking this may be the end of the colony
Im using this as an opportunity to learn more about the animals and I would like to talk to our local wildlife rehab vet on the best way to handle one if I find them again. I contacted a bat rehab on the west side of the State so hopefully they will have some info I can use.
Now is also the time to get that bat house hung. We bought it about 15 yrs ago and it still sits in the garage. Hubby couldnt make up his mind where to hang it so the poop wouldnt be by the house..well now its IN the house.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU all who offered advice...this was the first place i posted my dilemma as I knew rural folks will have an idea what I was dealing with. You guys are the best..
* another update! the wash state dept of wild life is sending out a biologist to study my colony and determine how many and of what kind. AND a bat rehab on the west side of the state called response to my email to them and she gave me some helpful info. as well
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