LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. — Raven Ridge Wildlife Center is urging residents to keep an eye out for bats that may be struggling as winter temperatures remain harsh.
Surge in Bats Needing Help
The center said it has seen a noticeable increase in bats being brought in during recent cold weather. Bats normally hibernate through the winter, but extreme conditions or disruptions can force them out of shelter, leaving them weak and vulnerable.
Wildlife officials stress that if someone comes across a bat during the winter months, it should not be put back outside. Exposure to freezing temperatures can quickly become fatal for the animal.
What to Do If You Find a Bat
Raven Ridge recommends wearing gloves, gently covering the bat with a T-shirt, and placing it in a secure box. Because bats can squeeze through openings as small as a dime, air holes are not necessary.
People are also warned not to try to warm the bat or give it food or water. Keeping the bat cool helps conserve its limited energy reserves while it is in a weakened, hibernation-like state.
Care Now, Release in Spring
Bats collected during the winter are taken to the center’s off-site facility, where they are monitored and cared for until conditions are safe. Raven Ridge plans to release the bats back into the wild between April and May, once warmer weather returns.
