Starting in August, a crucial period begins for Chiroptera (bats) in Ukraine: the autumn migration. Bats leave their summer roosts and begin searching for suitable hibernation sites.
During this journey, bats fly through cities in large numbers, and open windows or transoms (small hinged window sections, kvatyrky) can tragically turn into fatal traps for them:
- A bat flies into a room, becomes disoriented, and is unable to fly out. Without food and water, the animal quickly perishes.
- If one bat emits a distress signal, dozens of others may join it inside the building.
How to Avoid Accidental Entrances
To prevent harm to these animals and maintain peace of mind, follow these simple precautions:
- Close windows at night (especially if you are not home).
- Install mosquito screens on your windows – they will protect your home from both insects and unexpected winged guests.
What to Do if a Bat Flies Inside
- If a single bat enters: You can safely release it yourself by following the advice of specialists (detailed instructions are available here: https://batsukraine.org/find-a-bat-ua/.
- If many bats enter: Immediately contact specialists for assistance!
Contact the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center (a dedicated facility for the rescue, rehabilitation, and study of bats) for expert help: +380663059895 (call, Telegram, or Viber).
Why This is Important
Bats are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (the national list of threatened species) and are a vital part of our ecosystems, saving us from thousands of insect pests every night.
The Rehabilitation Center rescues hundreds of bats annually, but the current migratory season is the busiest time for their volunteers.
You can easily assist their critical work by:
- Sharing this post (repost).
- Making a donation (donate).
- Subscribing to their Patreon (details on the Ukrainian Bat Rehabilitation Center website: https://batsukraine.org/.
Let’s work together to make this migration season safer for both people and bats!
