ON the evening of Tuesday, January 31, five bats flew into a death trap when they landed on a light-pole outside Mumm's on the Myall Restaurant on the waterfront at Tea Gardens, just before the Singing Bridge.
Unknown to the bats, the top of the 22 foot light-pole is covered in metal spikes approximately 20cm long, used to deter the pelicans who land there and leave unwanted droppings all over the place.
Head waitress at Mumm's on the Myall, Erin Davidson, noticed the bats at approximately 9pm on Tuesday evening.
"I was serving a table when I noticed the bats up on the light-pole, but I wasn't 100 per cent sure whether they were stuck up there or not.
"The next morning the bats were still there, so I called Great Lakes Wildlife Rescue, Country Energy, National Animal Trust Fund and the Fire Brigade looking for assistance," she said.
Wildlife Representative from the Native Animal Trust Fund (NATF) and Great Lakes Wildlife Rescue, Danella Weatherstone, got wind of the situation and immediately started to get things rolling.
"At the start, it was thought that only two bats had been impaled on the spikes, but it actually turned out to be five," said Danella.
"I rang Country Energy to ask for assistance in removing the bats, because by 2pm more distressed calls from the public were coming through Great Lakes Wildlife Rescue and the Native Animal Trust Fund," she said.
Danella came from Karuah as soon as she could, and arrived at the scene at around 6.30pm on Wednesday, February 1, which meant the bats had spent the whole day in the heat of the sun.
A worker from Country Energy arrived soon after, and managed to arrange a cherry picker to be brought over from Stroud.
"The guy from Country Energy was fantastic in rescuing the bats, and also, Leon from Tea Gardens Rural Fire Brigade was a great help as he tried his hardest to assist us," said Danella.
NATF rescuer, Elizabeth Delbridge, was there to meet the Country Energy worker and bring the bats into care.
At approximately 9.30pm, he managed to retrieve the three bats that had survived and they were then transported to Danella's house in Karuah for overnight care.
"Due to horrific injuries from these 20cm long narrow steel spikes, only one little red bat survived the night," said Danella.
The bat was taken to Raymond Terrace Vet for treatment early on Thursday, February 2, and is currently recovering with the help of a specialised bat carer from NATF.
"As it is believed the light pole's are part of the red bats flight plan, we can expect to see more of these little natives in care," explained Danella.
"They stop to rest there and get stuck on the spikes," she said.
"This type of thing may have happened before and just gone unnoticed," she added.
Great Lakes Council's Director of Engineering, Ron Hartley, said council is not responsible for the spikes on this light-pole, but said he was happy to assist in finding out who is, to see what can be done about it.
He said the spikes along the light-poles on the Singing Bridge were soft wire, which bend if pelicans land on them.
Danella is based in Karuah but covers wildlife rescue from Bulahdelah to Raymond Terrace.
If you see any wildlife that needs rescuing or assistance, please call either of these Wildlife Groups:
z Great lakes Wildlife Rescue - 4997 6388.
z Native Animal Trust Fund - 0500 5022 94.
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