‘Extremely rare’ bat found in Lower Mainland on person’s balcony

An unusual bat that was rescued from a Chilliwack resident’s balcony is actually “extremely rare,” according to the Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C.

The resident found the bat on her balcony and after it didn't leave when she left it overnight, she called the rescue association who came and picked it up.

“It was at first sight that our enthusiastic wildlife experts realized that the bat is a spotted bat, an extremely rare species. Fortunately, a thorough exam revealed that this bat had no major injuries. She was just dehydrated and underweight,” according to the wildlife association’s Facebook post, Oct. 9.

The bat will be recovering at the rescue centre receiving proper nutrition and hydration therapy before being released.

Spotted bats are not normally seen in that area of B.C. but they’re known to live in the Fraser Canyon north of Lytton and Skagit Valley, past Manning Park.

There are likely only a few hundred of them in Canada, according to the association.

“They only live on cliffs and, according to Dr. Lausen, bat research and conservation biologist, they never come down to roost on human structures,” the rescue centre said.

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