If you have found a ‘grounded’ or injured bat, or one trapped indoors, in Leicestershire or Rutland or need other batty advice, contact Jenny Harris on the numbers below or contact the Bat Conservation Trust Bat Helpline. A grounded bat is likely to be starving and dehydrated or injured in some way and will need specialist care. It should be carefully placed in a box with a well-fitting lid (a shoe box is ideal). Kitchen paper or a soft cloth should be put in the box so that the bat has something to cling to and somewhere to hide. If the box is likely to be air-tight (i.e. old ice-cream carton) put several small air holes in the lid. Bats are wild animals, and may be frightened or hurt, so remember to wear gloves when you move the bat into the box. Offer the bat some water on a clean child’s paint brush or tip of a spoon (but make sure you don’t ‘drown’ it), then leave a tiny container of water (such as a jam jar lid) in the box so the bat can drink. Place the box in a cool, quiet place until it can be collected by a bat worker. Contact Jenny Harris on 01572 755274, or during the working day on 0116 272 0444 Bat Conservation Trust Bat Helpline 0845 1300 228