Hi there ¡
a colleague of mine has asked to me if you know several methods for catching bats in a cave , ??
Thank you and regards ¡

Mist nets I would think would be the most practical and effective method for over all volume of the number of bats captured in the least amount of time.

There are alot of variables with respects to the ceiling height of the cave and its width. Hand held small mesh grid nets with a large open mouth and a telescopic handle would be another method possibly. Over all the cave configuration and size would influence my ultimate decision of the chosen method of capture and set up.

The entry /exit point of the cave mouth would most likely be the best point of set up for capture using a mist net in the evening during their flight out for the evening. That way you arent working inside the cave in some possibly difficult and some unsafe conditions.

For internal cave work the hand nets can be used and they certainly would be more mobile to work with.However it is very challenging to net flying bats. If you have never done this before you will find how challenging it can be.

thank you Bob, i will tel to her , ¡
Thank you ¡¡

Ate,

Tell her to contact one of the major bat groups in Europe.

There are many many and I'll try to post links to one later in your area.

If she is online she could try linked in, bat conservation trust has professionals who do all types of that work on your side of the pond.


Legalities are so different overseas, be sure she has checked with whomever her wildlife or environmental division agency is for her country or region.

Way different than here in the states in most cases and very strict.

(Bob is right though, must nets and harp traps ae the most common used for capture for research.)

Justin

Ok Justin i will wait the link , thank you ¡

I sure hope you have a real good, legal reason for trapping bats IN A CAVE.

Ate,

This link will provide a link to the conservation organizations that work with/for bats including Spain.
There are links to many many countries so if your friend isn't in Spain hopefully they will find their country
listed.

I assume they are maybe looking at doing research and that is their purpose? Either way important to check
with someone and these organizations would know who to ask and know the legalities and permits required.

In our country very few states have bat protection currently, while in Europe most bats are protected by very
stringent laws due to most populations being threatened and endangered.

To buy a mist net for example most EU companies require you show your permit and license before they will
even allow sales.

http://www.eurobats.org/contacts/bat_conservation_organizations

(My assumption is your friend is looking at some important research or academic reason for catching bats in
caves as that is the norm, so my providing info is to guide them to the right place to find assistance from
professionals with licenses and permits.)

Best,

Justin

Hi Justin , my friend is currently working in South America, concretely in Agerntine ¡
So i will let her know to contact through this link ¡
Thank you ¡

Your welcome, there are some great people down there as well. I see updates about their research projects and conservation programs.

Google "harp trap". They are easy to build and alot easier to use than a mist net. They are also more effective in caves and mines than mist nets and less stressful to the bats.