Hello, I have just captured, in broad daylight, an apparently sick bat. Where I come from, a sick bat means one thing only: rabies. Is it the same here? Do I report it? Do authorities come to take it and test it? Or, is it something to ignore here?
I would be grateful if anyone could tell me the procedure, please.
Thank you.
Thank you, Brian. I have not been back on the forum for a while and am sorry to be so late in replying. I did not get a jab and was not worried for myself. Just wanted to know if it was required to report it. Unlike all who commented here, it seems, I have seen a rabid animal -- in my childhood in the Sierra Nevadas of California -- and it is not a pretty sight. Quite terrifying, really.
I should have checked back earlier. I come from California, where sick bats do, indeed, usually have rabies. And some chipmunks still carry bubonic plague! Sorry to be so late in responding. Thank you for commenting.
"Be who you are & say what you think because those who mind don't matter & those who matter don't mind."
Problem is swinging your handbag, whilst fun, don't 'arf make your arm ache :-)
I love it when you boys get your handbags out!
Well it was Ascension last week......
*Throws a packet of garibaldi on the table and walks out*
How come Bruce got a Digestive & I got Hobnobs? Same crime, different treatment. What happened to "égalité" ?
Don't let 'em bribe you with biscuits Bruce. Stay as sweet as you are. Hell!, did I just say that? Not my fault, it must be the aperos ;-)
No apples please - we have a glut! But thank you for the sentiment! Here, have a chocolate digestive :)
Now I know how it is possible to have the back of ones legs slapped by Internet. Sorry Catharine. I'll bring an apple tomorrow, honest.
Indeed it was. Consider yourself the lucky recipient of a chocolate hobnob. Or two! x
Fair enough Chris. Your choice of words" did come across as a tad condescending & seemed like you thought only the "intelligent" amongst us could "figure it out"
Was that OK Catharine? :-) Do we need to arrange a whip round ?
Bruce / Chris / Vic / Brian / any one else reading this to whom it may apply....
Mr H is currently sorting out an excess phone / data bill to the tune of 860€. He is not happy. It is raining. This doesn't help...
My advice would be "play nicely" boys....
I'm going to work now but will be back around 5 to hand out virtual chocolate biccies to everyone who has played nicely and is not on the naughty step!
x x
Interestingly I get approximately as many enquiries about how to get rid of creatures including bats from British people here in France as I do from those wishing to help them in their homes and gardens. Now that really is sad.
Chris
I was assuming that all the members of this esteemed forum are intelligent including your good selves Vic and Bruce.
Chris
I agree, Gill, they are beautiful creatures. I first took an interest in bats on an evening 'Bat Walk' in Lancashire and thereafter completed a course to become a qualified Bat Surveyor. There are now only 17 species of breeding bat remaining in the UK, but several more here in France. They are truly fascinating creatures to study. If you get the opportunity to go out in the evening with a bat detector it's amazing how much chatter there is about. They are of course protected but, sadly, offences against roosts etc particularly by unscrupulous builders, rarely result in custodial sentences.
:-)
Nice one Bruce, I'd have said that if I could speak French & would of course have read the links had I been intelligent enough :-)
"for the intelligent readers to figure it out and I remain as always available" .... sens attitude bienveillante teintée d'un sentiment de supériorité, de mépris, eh Chris?
Hi Martha. Bats are nothing that you should really worry about. I have lived in Grasse (Alpes Maritimes) for 19 years now,and we get a lot of bats flitting around and hanging around/camping behind left open shutters here! When I lived in Cannes and surroundings,I didn't even see one for the 15 years I was there! A few years ago I found one that was almost dead in the house on the floor at night,It was not even moving and I didn't really know what to do,so just gently took it out to the garden to let nature take it's course outside rather than inside. It was the first time I'd seen a bat up close. It was actually quite sweet-a bit like a tiny hampster with leathery wings attached. Since then I've had a couple of them fly into the house at night,and the fact that they did that meant they were obviously not well! The first time was in the bathroom when I was brushing my teeth before going to bed (which freaked me out a bit I must admit),and the second time in the bedroom. The best thing to do is to turn off the light and close the door- If they are able, they will find their own way out!
Only what I said in the first instance "Rabies in bats isn't the same rabies that is in the other mammals and is not considered to be of concern to any of the authorities in France."
I think there is enough there on the links for the intelligent readers to figure it out and I remain as always available should anyone require any wildlife information in France.
Chris