Legalize Bat Rehabilitation in Michigan
Legalize Bat Rehabilitation in Michigan
The Issue
The rehabilitation of bats is a crucial part to their conservation and education of the species. Bats are a commonly misunderstood animal, with people being taught that they are the primary carriers of rabies, they are flying rodents, they will fly into your hair, or that all bats drink blood. These are all misconceptions leading to the public fearing the species as a whole.
Though bats are a rabies vector species, meaning they may not show the typical symptoms of infection, other species on that list include racoons, skunks, and groundhogs, all of which are more commonly seen than bats. Bats are very fearful of humans and will avoid them at all costs. When bats are seen near humans it is often because they are grounded or hanging low on buildings due to illness, injury, exhaustion, dehydration, or being left alone too young.
The Organization for Bat Conservation was open until 2018 where bats were legally rehabilitated, but after OBC's closure, tons of passionate staff and volunteers were left unable to work with bats in Michigan, despite many of them holding a wildlife rehabilitation permit.
Allowing bats to be legally rehabilitated in Michigan would allow trained professionals to handle bats, rather than forcing them to be euthanized by the CDC for rabies testing. This will also protect untrained individuals who find a bat to have more opportunities for the bat to be placed into professional hands, rather than attempting to care for it themselves to avoid the unfortunate death-by-euthanasia.
Bats are extremely beneficial to the environment and depending on the species can help with pest control, pollination, and even seed dispersal through their feces, which are great as a source of fertilizer.
Legalizing bat rehabilitation in the state of Michigan would help to conserve a critically important animal, while allowing passionate rehabbers to work with them to get them back into the wild, helping to keep mosquitos and other pests at bay.
Bat World Sanctuary- Allow Bat Rehabilitation in the State Of MI
U.S. Fish & Wildlife- Bat Benefits and Conservation
799
The Issue
The rehabilitation of bats is a crucial part to their conservation and education of the species. Bats are a commonly misunderstood animal, with people being taught that they are the primary carriers of rabies, they are flying rodents, they will fly into your hair, or that all bats drink blood. These are all misconceptions leading to the public fearing the species as a whole.
Though bats are a rabies vector species, meaning they may not show the typical symptoms of infection, other species on that list include racoons, skunks, and groundhogs, all of which are more commonly seen than bats. Bats are very fearful of humans and will avoid them at all costs. When bats are seen near humans it is often because they are grounded or hanging low on buildings due to illness, injury, exhaustion, dehydration, or being left alone too young.
The Organization for Bat Conservation was open until 2018 where bats were legally rehabilitated, but after OBC's closure, tons of passionate staff and volunteers were left unable to work with bats in Michigan, despite many of them holding a wildlife rehabilitation permit.
Allowing bats to be legally rehabilitated in Michigan would allow trained professionals to handle bats, rather than forcing them to be euthanized by the CDC for rabies testing. This will also protect untrained individuals who find a bat to have more opportunities for the bat to be placed into professional hands, rather than attempting to care for it themselves to avoid the unfortunate death-by-euthanasia.
Bats are extremely beneficial to the environment and depending on the species can help with pest control, pollination, and even seed dispersal through their feces, which are great as a source of fertilizer.
Legalizing bat rehabilitation in the state of Michigan would help to conserve a critically important animal, while allowing passionate rehabbers to work with them to get them back into the wild, helping to keep mosquitos and other pests at bay.
Bat World Sanctuary- Allow Bat Rehabilitation in the State Of MI
U.S. Fish & Wildlife- Bat Benefits and Conservation
799
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on May 28, 2023