How bat wings can heal themselves

Stitches and glue can be ineffective
October 2011: Certain bats will be spreading their previously-torn wings after a new way of treating them was discovered.

A bat carer, based at an RSPCA wildlife centre found that even the most dramatic of tears can heal themselves with some tender loving care.

Sarah Goodwin, from Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Cheshire, said that the usual veterinary technique of stitching or glueing such tears could cause issues with the bats removing stitches or glue when grooming.

Good food and plenty of rest
She instead decided to care for bats that came into her care with wing injuries by keeping them warm, giving them antibiotics and feeding them vitamin and mineral-rich food. The veterinary nurse also restricted their flight and gave them time to rest and heal.

In nearly all cases she found that the wings had healed back together of their own accord.

'I couldn't believe how fast the wings grew back together
'Sarah said: ‘I just couldn't believe how fast the wings grew back together. It was amazing. All they needed was a bit of rest and care and their wing membranes healed all by themselves - ready for them to fly back safely into the wild.'

The bats in the ‘Heal to Fly' project had been injured in various ways, including attacks from cats. Out of the nine bats which have been admitted with severe wing tears over the past year, five have been returned to the wild, and two died from other injuries. The remaining two are still in care but Sarah is hopeful that they can be returned to the wild soon.

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