Two rescue calls were received yesterday, both approximately 40 miles away.
Each day is filled with either bat expenses, bat stuff, no spare time, and many phone conversations re: bats, similar to this: “It was close to the ground on a wall, I couldn’t leave it there. I was worried cats might get it or something, also, it was cold last night. I rang the Bat People, and it’s in a box and safe, but it’s been in the box for 24hrs now, and I can’t find anyone to help”.
These words are heartbreaking to hear – yet it is also heartwarming to know that certain people care enough to go the extra mile for an animal in distress. These good-hearted folk will not give up until they can find help; often offering to drive the little bat to me even though they may live many miles away.
The above situation causes me mixed emotions as I am grateful the finder has contacted me, and that I can help the bat; all of which I do willingly and will continue to do so for as long as I can – until I take my last breathe. What bugs me and hurts me most….is this:
The fact that this mess that the world is in: the catastrophic change in our climate, the rapid decline in all species: insects, mammals, reptiles; the pollution of our diminishing water sources, our oceans and natural habitat, the destruction of precious woodlands and ancient rainforests; human mass migration to escape drought, etc. All of it is of mankind’s making! We are all fully responsible for this mess and some of us have known for years that this was coming and tried to help, but sadly, most people and governments around the world chose to turn a blind eye. Humans have brought about the destruction of our natural environment, and our precious wildlife is now struggling to adapt. We are causing havoc and pain through our selfishness and greed, and our bats and all wildlife need all the help they can get.
Apologies for ranting but it is all true.
Recently, after I’d completed the cleaning, feeding, and test flying of my rescues, Brian and I were locking up for the night, and we both commented on the drop in temperature. Bats should be feasting and feeding on insects to sustain them through the coming winter months. Our garden has meadow flowers, long grasses: plants for insects to feed: but we didn’t see one moth. With these extreme weather conditions: heavy rainfall and cold evening temperatures, there are fewer insects than ever.