Bats are vital ecosystem engineers facing habitat loss, disease and human disturbance. Protecting roosts is essential for both bat welfare and the broader ecosystems they support.
Individual bats experience significant welfare harm from roost disturbance and habitat loss. Disturbed maternity roosts cause maternal stress, separation of mothers from pups and pup starvation. Bats disturbed during hibernation may wake prematurely, burning fat reserves and risking death if food is unavailable. White-nose syndrome causes bats to wake frequently during winter, depleting energy stores until starvation. Injured bats brought to bat rescue organisations often have wing membrane tears from cat attacks, the leading cause of bat casualties in the UK. Bats rehabilitated from cat injuries require weeks of specialist care. Supporting bat-friendly garden and building practices has direct welfare benefits for wild bats.