Captive Management of Rescued European Insectivorous Bats

European insectivorous bats face numerous anthropogenic and environmental threats, including trauma, predation, disease, climate-induced stress and habitat loss. Consequently, rescue and rehabilitation of debilitated individuals play an important role in their conservation. The aim of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive review of the biology, ecology and challenges facing European bat populations, with a particular focus on best practices for their rehabilitation in rescue centers. The rehabilitation process begins with a clinical assessment of the bat’s conditions, addressing key aspects such as hydration, nutritional status and ectoparasite removal. Captive housing must replicate natural conditions, ensuring proper temperature, humidity, light cycles and provide opportunities for social interactions through group housing. Water must be always available, whereas nutrition protocols vary according to the bat’s developmental stage and health conditions. Adult casualties are gradually trained to self-feed on soft food and mealworms, while orphaned juveniles are fed milk replacers and weaned at the appropriate time. Continual assessment is essential throughout rehabilitation to monitor progress and adjust care. Pre-release conditioning is critical: hand-reared juveniles must acquire essential survival skills such as flight and echolocation abilities, while adults require flight training to rebuild muscle strength. When environmental conditions are suitable, bats deemed fit for release are returned to the wild through soft or hard release methods, with the aim of supporting successful reintegration in the native population and preserving genetic diversity. Additionally, this thesis addresses zoonotic risks and safety measures for rehabilitators, therapeutic and anesthetic protocols, as well as ethical considerations for euthanasia. Drawing from current scientific literature and rehabilitation guidelines, this review provides practical strategies for the effective care and release of rescued bats, contributing to broader conservation efforts among Europe.