Legal status

All species of bat and their breeding sites or resting places (roosts) are protected under Regulation 41 of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010 and Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

It is illegal to intentionally kill, injure or handle a bat, to possess a bat (whether live or dead), disturb a roosting bat, or sell or offer a bat for sale without a licence. It is also an offence to damage, destroy or obstruct access to any place used by bats for shelter, whether they are present or not.

Further guidance on bats

• for householders
• in traditional buildings
•  
• in churches
  
• discovering their lifestyles and habitats
• on managing woodlands for bats

Related links

Regulation 41 of The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2010

Section 9 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981