Bats
The Manx Bat Group
Please contact The Manx Bat Group if you see a bat, or have one in your home, that may need help.
The Manx Bat Group is focused on the conservation and study of bats in the Isle of Man. Established to promote awareness and understanding of bat species, the group engages in various activities including research, monitoring, and habitat protection. They conduct surveys and educational outreach to inform the public about the ecological importance of bats and the threats they face.
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Bats are protected in the Isle of Man under the Wildlife Act 1990. The Act gives protection to all species of Manx bats. It is against the law to kill or harm any bat or to destroy or damage any place a bat uses as its shelter, whether the bat is there or not.
Because bats congregate in breeding roosts in summer and in hibernation sites in winter they are particularly vulnerable to disturbance in or around their roosts.
If you have bats in your house you must consult DEFA (Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture) for advice BEFORE you undertake repairs or improvements to your property that might affect the bats or their roost.
In general it is also an offence to buy, sell or keep any bat, alive or dead. However, if you find an injured or grounded bat you are permitted to care for it, provided that it can be released back into the wild when better. You are not permitted to keep a bat that has no prospect of being released without a licence from DEFA.
Isle of Man bats are a fascinating sight to behold, flitting about the island’s rugged coastline and whispering woods. These tiny creatures of the night have made the Isle of Man their home, and it’s easy to see why. The island’s unique geography, with its rolling hills and secluded valleys, provides the perfect haven for these nocturnal creatures.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Isle of Man bats is their remarkable diversity. Visitors can spot everything from the tiny common pipistrelle to the majestic noctule, with its impressive wingspan and piercing gaze