Bats in zoo and sanctuary settings require specialized care including appropriate flight space, social housing, and feeding enrichment to support good welfare outcomes.
Bat welfare in zoo settings requires flight space adequate for meaningful exercise, as bats confined to small enclosures rapidly lose muscle condition that compromises their ability to fly effectively. Social species require colony-appropriate group housing to meet their behavioral needs. Feeding enrichment for frugivorous species should include whole fruits hung at height requiring flight to access. Insectivorous bats in wildlife rehabilitation face the most challenging welfare provision, as live insect provision is difficult to maintain consistently and hand-feeding training is time-intensive. Temperature and humidity management appropriate to the species origin is a welfare essential for these diverse mammals.