Bats
Advice and legislation relating to bats.
- Legal status
- Advice on bats
- How to apply for licences
- Rabies in bats
- White-nose syndrome advice for batworkers
- Research reports
Legal status
All species of bat and their breeding sites or resting places (roosts) are protected under Regulation 41 of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010
and Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence for anyone intentionally to kill, injure or handle a bat, to possess a bat (whether live or dead), disturb a roosting bat, or sell or offer a bat for sale without a licence. It is also an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct access to any place used by bats for shelter, whether they are present or not.
For guidance on applying for licences see below.
Advice on bats
For advice about bats causing problems:
- for general advice contact your local bat advice service 0845 1300228 or view the Bat Conservation Trust website
- for licensing related queries Contact us.
- for advice leaflets visit the Advisory leaflets page
How to apply for a licence
Licences can be applied for using forms and guidance notes that can be downloaded from the European Protected Species page.
Rabies in bats
For information on rabies in bats see European bat lyssavirus (EBLV).
Form for Bat submissions for rabies screening (PDF).
White-nose syndrome advice for batworkers
With the bat hibernation season upon us and the recent discovery of Geomyces destructans (the fungus associated with white-nose syndrome) in Europe, the Bat Conservation Trust in conjunction with Natural England, Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, has revised the white-nose syndrome guidance for bat workers in the UK and the Isle of Man.
This new guidance has been divided into sections that define what is being asked of licensed and unlicensed bat workers undertaking hibernation and swarming surveys. We ask that all individuals visiting underground sites familiarise themselves with this guidance, particularly the sample protocols and decontamination advice. We also suggest regularly checking the Bat Conservation Trust website, to keep up to date with suspect cases under investigation.
If you have any questions about this advice please contact the Bat Conservation Trust on 0845 1300 228 or alternatively email LWorledge@bats.org.uk or hmiller@bats.org.uk.
Research reports
Monitoring bat populations (Bat Conservation Trust)
