A Little New Year’s Luck … Bats
In many cultures, bats are symbols of good fortune and fresh beginnings. This New Year, two bats were especially lucky to be rescued and brought to Tucson Wildlife Center.
One patient was a Western Red Bat, discovered clinging to a doorway of a store and unable to fly off to hunt for several days. An intake exam revealed minor tears in his patagium (wing membranes). After rest and supportive care, this resilient little bat healed quickly and has already been released back into the night sky.
Our second patient was a Western Yellow Bat, found on the ground with several painful cactus spines embedded in his body. After careful spine removal, he was found to be underweight but otherwise stable—and quickly began eating well. During his stay, our wildlife care team noticed signs of joint swelling and wing-wasting disease (common in bats) and he was started on antibiotics. Closely monitored for side effects, he is recovering well, with release expected soon.
Though similar in size, these two bats have some differences. Western red bats are named for their rusty red fur, which helps them blend in with tree leaves. They typically can be found roosting among foliage. Western yellow bats, on the other hand, are pale blond to yellowish and are often found hanging in the dead fronds of palm trees, as he was doing while eating in our video.
Both species are solitary bats, rely on echolocation to hunt flying insects at night, and play an important role in keeping insect populations in balance. As we start 2026, we are grateful these two bats were discovered by caring people and given the chance to heal—turning a bit of New Year’s luck into a safe return to the wild. If you would like to help patients like these bats,click this link to donate,
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We appreciate it, as will all the wild animals in our care!
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