Bats are the second largest order of mammals, performing vital ecological roles as pollinators and insect controllers. Multiple bat species face severe population declines from habitat loss, white-nose syndrome, and wind turbine collisions.
Bats experience welfare harms both at the individual and population level. Injured bats admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centres commonly suffer from wing membrane tears, chemical burns from roost treatments, and trauma from cat attacks. Bat carers require specialist training because improper handling can injure the delicate wing membranes and cause fatal stress. White-nose syndrome causes bats to rouse from hibernation repeatedly, depleting fat reserves until they starve — a prolonged welfare crisis for affected individuals. At population level, roost disturbance during maternity season, when females are caring for pups, can cause colony abandonment and pup mortality.