Bat Conservation and Welfare | Animal Welfare Hub

UK bat populations face multiple threats. Conservation interventions help maintain populations capable of healthy, natural lives.

Key Facts

All 18 UK bat species are legally protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
Common and soprano pipistrelles are the most abundant UK bat species
Lesser horseshoe bats are recovering following severe historical population declines
White-nose syndrome, a fungal disease, has devastated North American bat populations but not yet reached the UK
Roost destruction during building renovation is one of the most significant threats to UK bats
Bat boxes and specially designed building features replace lost roost sites
Light pollution disrupts bat foraging behaviour, particularly for slow-flying species

Welfare Considerations

Bat welfare depends primarily on roost site availability, foraging habitat quality, and absence of persecution and disturbance. The legal protection of all UK bat species and their roosts is a significant welfare protection. Roost destruction during building work remains a significant welfare harm despite this protection. Light pollution impacts are less visible but affect large numbers of bats. Building-integrated bat roost provision in new and renovated buildings is a practical welfare contribution.

What You Can Do

Check for bat roosts before any building renovation and consult a licensed bat ecologist
Install bat boxes in gardens and on buildings to supplement natural roost sites
Reduce light pollution from gardens and buildings, especially during summer bat activity
Report bat roost disturbance or destruction to Natural England and local wildlife trusts