January 3, 2006
Sticky situation for the tiny bat saved by Burnham wildlife rescuers
Big-hearted wildlife rescuers in Burnham-On-Sea have been looking after one of their smallest-ever casualties this week after a tiny bat weighing no more than a 20 pence coin was brought in to them.
The poorly creature, a Pipistrelle Bat called Frosty, became coated with white paint after colliding with a freshly painted window frame.
Staff at Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre came to the aid of the tiny creature, pictured in the box above.
Secret World’s Pauline Kidner told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “A mild spell made him think it would be a good night for a fly, but he landed on a freshly painted window frame and quickly became covered in white gloss paint.”
“He soon found his wings and feet covered in the toxic substance and eventually 70 per cent of his body was glued together with paint.”
“Fortunately, the householder found him while he was still alive and took him to Secret World where he has been recovering from his ordeal.”
Pauline, who is pictured here with an owl from a previous rescue, added: “Vet nurse Lisa Hills was able to anaesthetise him and remove most of the paint with turps.”
“The remainder has come off as he has preened. Frosty is now flying and almost all of the paint has been removed. Tucking in to his hotel food of juicy worms, he is making the most of his sheltered care.”
“Once he is fully fit he will be released back into the same area during a mild spell.”
Frosty is one of the many animals being looked after at the wildlife rescue centre.
