In Kyiv, volunteers rescued hundreds of bats that had taken up residence in an apartment
In the Akademmistechko neighborhood of Kyiv, volunteers rescued 381 bats that had flown into an apartment through open windows. The owner of the apartment had been away for about a week, and during that time, an entire colony of bats had gathered inside.
The unusual rescue took place in the Akademmistechko neighborhood of Kyiv. Hundreds of bats flew into the apartment—which had been left unattended for several days—through open windows. The owner had been away for about a week. During that time, the animals managed to get inside and settle in the apartment. When it became clear that there were a large number of bats inside, volunteers Galya Rusova, Alisa Lednova, and Lex came to the rescue. In the end, they managed to rescue 381 bats.
The animals likely entered the apartment during their seasonal migration. During this period, bats are actively on the move, so an open window can serve as an accidental entry point into a human dwelling. The volunteers urge Kyiv residents to keep this in mind when they’re away from home for an extended period. If windows are left open for several days, not just a few animals but a large number of bats at once can enter the premises. “Migration is underway! Don’t leave windows open when you’re away from home for a long time, and install screens,” the volunteers emphasize.
In this situation, the apartment’s residents were lucky that they noticed the animals in time and sought help. The volunteers were able to round up the bats and rescue them. Experts and animal welfare advocates advise against trying to catch bats with your bare hands. If an animal accidentally flies into your home, it’s best to let it fly out on its own or contact people who have experience working with bats.
Bats play an important role in nature, particularly in helping to control insect populations. At the same time, during migration, they may accidentally end up in houses, apartments, on balconies, or in attics. The incident in Akademmistechko served as a reminder of a simple fact: if you’re leaving your apartment empty for an extended period, it’s best to close the windows or install mosquito screens on them. This time, the situation had a happy ending—381 bats were successfully rescued. Volunteers thanked everyone who helped the animals survive this unusual adventure. This was reported by Bats Ukraine.
