Marine animal strandings:
To report a marine animal stranding please see the marine emergency contacts page for who to contact.
Other emergency contacts:
RSPCA: 0300 123 4999 (24 hours)
Bat helpline contacts in Cornwall
- West Cornwall: 07900 584 900
- North Cornwall: (01409) 231364
- South East Cornwall: (01752) 822512
- Natural England: (01872) 262550
- for grounded or injured bats in Cornwall: (01872) 278695
Bat health and safety
Please note that bats can carry rabies although the risk of catching the virus from a bat is extremely low. Cornwall Wildlife Trust recommends that bats are only handled by experienced and qualified bat handlers.
Stray bats
Many of the calls for help received by bat helplines concern bats flying into buildings after dark. This usually involves a young bat which has got lost and it occurs most frequently between mid-July and mid-August when baby bats are learning to fly and still developing their echolocation skills. The bat will be disoriented and will want to get out as quickly as possible. Try not to panic, simply open the outside doors and windows, dim the lights and allow it to escape by itself. Never attempt to catch a bat in flight; there is a high risk of injury both to the bat and its pursuer. If the bat has not escaped by the next morning, seek advice.
Bat protection and the law
Bats are protected by law. To report any bat or other animal cruelty incident please call the RSPCA immediately on 0300 123 4999. Bat roosts are also protected by law. To report any incidents, or for help and advice, contact your local branch of Natural England or your police Wildlife Liaison Officer via your local Police Station.
If your enquiry is not related to Cornwall we suggest you contact your local Wildlife Trust who may be able to give you better advice for your part of the country.
