What should you do if you come across a dead or dying bat or other wild animal?

City of Richmond Hill provides safety tips to deal with wildlife encounters

Yorkregion.com
May 3, 2023
Melissa Wallace

You’re walking through a park when you see the body of a small animal along the trail.

Is that a bat? Is it alive? Will you get close enough to tell?

Robert Kolosowski did. The Richmond Hill resident recently shared a photo of a bat his friend discovered as they hiked through Phyllis Rawlinson Park.

“I recognized the species as a little brown bat, which is common across southern Ontario, including here in York Region,” said Kolosowski, who is president of the Richmond Hill Anglers Association. “There was no need to report this to any ‘emergency’ organizations as they have limited resources and there is nothing abnormal about the cycle of life, which involves passing.”

Instead, he shared the photo with various organizations that collect data on wildlife to provide valuable information about wildlife populations in our ecosystems.

Vaughan Animal Services has responded to three bat-related calls in Richmond Hill in 2022 and 2023, according to the City of Richmond Hill’s communications department.

If you’re not well-versed in wildlife and perhaps a bit more squeamish, city staff say it’s better to stay away. They provided these tips for residents to keep in mind:

If you find a sick, injured or dead bat or other wild animal on city property including parks, do not approach or touch the animal, especially during denning season from March to June and when there are young animals present.

Do not handle the bat. Even with gloves their sharp nails can scratch skin.

Bats and other wild animals can transmit rabies and other different strains of disease to humans and pets. Contact the city’s animal services provider, Vaughan Animal Services at 905-832-2281, 1-855-227-7297 or animal.services@vaughan.ca. They are available 24/7 to respond to calls regarding rabies vector species, such as bats and other wildlife.

Keep your pets on a leash and ensure your pet is up-to-date on their rabies vaccination. If you think your pet has been in contact with a bat or other wildlife, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If you have been bitten, scratched or had contact with a bat, immediately wash the wound with soap and water, seek medical attention and report the incident to York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. Also, contact Vaughan Animal Services which can assist sick or wounded wildlife.

Please do not feed wildlife -- it does more harm than good.

Human food and artificial feed is not healthy for wild animals. They can become dependent on these food sources and stop searching for food naturally.

Wild animals can also lose their natural fear of humans and pets, becoming more prone to conflict.

Take measures to keep wild or stray animals away from your home by storing green bins and garbage containers inside the garage or basement and contact a professional company to proof your home from nesting wild animals.