Page 63 - BBC Wildlife - August 2017 UK

AGENDA HEATHER
ANALYSIS
MOORLAND
HABITAT
IN THE UK

O CHERISHED LANDSCAPE OR
ii UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES | BE PART OF THE SOLUTION ARTIFICIAL ENVIRONMENT? – SEE P70

The National Bat Helpline
received nearly 15,000
calls from members of
the public last year.

BAT HOTLINE UNDER THREAT

NATURAL ENGLAND MAY WITHDRAW FUNDING FROM VITAL CONSERVATION TOOL, SAYS BAT TRUST.

telephone helpline react if they see a bat either in nearly 10 per cent required a said in an email: “I understand
that gives out advice to or outsidetheir house. site visit. Natural England only so much more about them now
Ahouseholders on how to “The future of the highly funds some of the helpline's and appreciate the need for
deal withbats in their homes successful National Bat Helpline operations, relating to just over their conservation due to rapidly
may have to close because isunder threat as Natural half of the inquiries. falling numbers.”
Natural England is considering England –whichhas partly “The helpline underpins In a statement, a press officer
withdrawing its funding. funded it for 13 years – carries much ofthebat conservation said Natural England was
The helpline is run bythe out a review,” says BCT work in this country looking at bringing in a purely
Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) joint chief executive DID YOU and we will bemaking online system to save money.
and is staffed by a team of up Kit Stoner. the strongest case “The internet-based service
to 12 trained officers. Last year, Callers may be given KNOW? possible for this vital will provide householders with
it received nearly 15,000 calls, advice on thephone or support to thepublic instant advice and include the
The presence of
and this year operators are by email. If it is a more droppings will tell to continue,” option to request volunteer
responding to some 150 a day. complicated issue, the you if you have Stoner says. visits,” the statement said.
bats in your home
Members of the public using helpline operator can Onehome-owner James Fair
– they are dark and
the service range from those arrange for a volunteer soft and crumble who rang the helpline
to visit the property to
seeking advice on what to do
because she was
easily because
Erica Olsen/FLPA if carrying out work such as assess the situation. they consist of concerned aboutthe + FIND OUT MORE
indigestible
National Bat Helpline www.
insulating their loft, to others
Indeed, of the 14,781
noises the batswere
insect parts.
bats.org.uk/pages/help.html
calls received in 2016,
making in her loft
who are simply unsure how to
August 2017 BBC Wildlife 63