Bats are not usually seen in daylight, and one hanging from a fence in the open is almost always in trouble. That is what a Pennsylvania homeowner realized in autumn 2023 when she spotted a bedraggled brown bat clinging to the bars outside her house.
Three Days on a Fence
The bat was found in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, drenched after the previous night’s storm and exposed to predators. According to Stephanie Stronsick, founder and executive director of Pennsylvania Bat Rescue, the “poor old girl” had been there for three days.
The homeowner messaged the rescue on Facebook, and a volunteer arrived soon after. Wearing gloves and using a thick cloth, the rescuer carefully lifted the bat off the fence and took her straight to the rehabilitation center.
Healing at the Rehab Center
At the center, staff noticed swelling on her head, which they treated with medication to help the bruising. As the bat, whom the team named Bea Arthur after the late TV actress, regained her strength, her personality emerged. Staff described her as starting out quiet and becoming friendly and sweet.
At the time of the reports, the rescue said she would be released in the spring if she proved strong enough. Pennsylvania Bat Rescue also provides lifelong sanctuary for bats that can’t return to the wild.
Why Bats Matter
Bea is a brown bat, a species native to North America. Pennsylvania’s bats eat only flying insects at night, and studies cited by the Philadelphia Inquirer found they save farmers about $74 an acre by eating moths whose caterpillars damage crops.
Many bats are in trouble. White-nose syndrome, a fungus that attacks hibernating bats, has hit an estimated 99 percent of Pennsylvania’s cave-dwelling bats, and Stronsick has warned that two native species, the northern long-eared bat and the tricolored bat, could vanish locally in her lifetime. Her nonprofit has rehabilitated about 2,000 bats since 2018.
If You Find a Bat in Trouble
A bat that is on the ground, in the open during the day, or clinging somewhere it doesn’t belong may be injured or sick. Don’t pick it up with bare hands. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, who can advise on how to contain the bat safely. If you, a child or a pet have touched a bat, contact your doctor or local health department.
Making Your Home Bat-Friendly
If Bea’s story has you thinking about helping bats, here are some options:
- Bat houses. A bat house or bat box kit gives local bats a safe roost. Compare sizes, materials and mounting requirements.
- Natural pest control. Bats eat large numbers of insects, so a bat-friendly yard can complement mosquito control and garden pest management.
- Humane wildlife removal. If bats get into your attic, a humane wildlife removal or bat exclusion service can evict them safely and seal entry points.
- Support rescues. A donation to a bat rescue or wildlife rehabilitation center helps cover food, medicine and veterinary care.
- Protective gear. Keep a pair of thick work gloves handy for emergencies, and call a rehabilitator before handling any wildlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bea Arthur? An elderly brown bat found hanging from a fence in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, and named after the actress.
Who rescued her? Pennsylvania Bat Rescue, after a homeowner messaged them on Facebook.
What was wrong with her? She was soaked and exposed after a storm and had swelling on her head, which staff treated with medication.
Why does the rescue wear gloves to handle bats? Bats can carry diseases such as rabies, so rehabilitators use protective gear and training, and the public should not handle them.
Sources: GodTube, Crosswalk, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and GuideStar, all covering the rescue of Bea Arthur, an elderly brown bat found hanging on a fence in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, and the work of Pennsylvania Bat Rescue.
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