2024 Annual Report - Flipbook - Page 41
USDA Cap琀椀ve Bat Welfare Conference
Aver the horrendous rescue of over
300 short-tailed fruit bats in April of
2023, we lodged a complaint with the
USDA concerning the way those bats
were transported. The }ny bats, which
measured less than 2 inches long,
were placed inside wire cages that
were then packed inside wooden
crates. The crates were then screwed
shut. Over 61 bats lost their lives because of the cruel manner in which
they were housed and transported.
Thankfully, our complaint caught the
eye of the Director of the Center for
Animal Welfare (CAW) at the USDA,
who contacted us out of concern. During the mee}ngs that followed, the
昀椀rst ever USDA Cap}ve Bat Welfare
Symposium was formed. Bat World
Sanctuary’s President and Founder,
Amanda Lollar, was asked to provide
two presenta}ons and serve on two
panel discussions.
The virtual symposium lasted two
days, with hundreds of animal care
professionals from around the world
tuning in.
Bats need specialized care as they are
昀氀ighted and essen}ally live on the ceiling in cap}vity. Inexplicably, USDA has
bats grouped with marine mammals,
as well as goats and other terrestrial
species in
