The last animal to be rescued in 2015 - a Lesser Yellow Bat

On a cold afternoon on New Year’s Eve, the Wild Animal Rescue Centre (Rescue Centre) received its final rescue of 2015 – a Lesser Yellow Bat (Scotophilus kuhlii). It was discovered in the garden of a village house in San Tin. On arrival, the bat was cold and dehydrated. After it was warmed up and subcutaneous fluid was given, a thorough check reviewed that its left forearm was swollen with an oedema present. Immediate medical treatment was undertaken including an X-ray of the wing. It then required cage rest.

A member of the Rescue Team is warming up the Lesser Yellow Bat using a warm rice bag (left) and a small enclosure was set up to hold the bat (right)

An X-ray image of the Lesser Yellow Bat

When the bat first arrived, there was some confusion concerning the species. Normally this species has a lighter cream or yellow underside. The present bat has a brown underside. Local experts who saw this were a little surprised, however other features of this medium sized bat (7cm) were characteristic of the Lesser Yellow Bat.

The Lesser Yellow Bat is insectivorous and it catches insects on the wing.  It was hand-fed at least four times a day to maintain its food and energy requirements and the feed was adjusted according to daily appetite of the bat. It gained a healthy weight following its admission.

Hand-feeding live insects to the bat and direct provision of water using a syringe. A variety of live insects were offered.

Hand-feeding the bat which hanging in its natural resting position

Waiting for its next feeding

Three weeks later, the swelling of the forearm was reduced. Following another two months of rehabilitation at the Rescue Centre, the bat fully recovered and was ready to be released back to the wild.

The bat was exercised in the flight cage on several occasions to help gain fitness in preparation for release

Having this uncommon species in captivity was an opportunity for AFCD officers to record high frequency sound and to take various measurements for future reference

Smelling freedom shortly before release

On 1 March, 2016, the bat was released into the bat tower at KFBG

The bat was bright and strong, and, the release into this man-made bat roost gave it the opportunity to decide what move to make next in a protected environment. We all hope that after a lot of help and care that the Yellow Lesser Bat has a long and ‘lucky’ life.