In theory, most people wouldn’t think twice before helping a dog in need, but how many people would jump into action if they noticed a wild animal in distress? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to helping animals who end up somewhere they shouldn’t, but some good samaritans in Oklahoma City knew exactly what to do when they noticed dozens of bats on the ground in the middle of downtown.
The mass bat grounding on October 22 could have ended terribly for the tiny animals, but the bystanders who noticed them saved their lives. They made each bat visible so that rescuers from WildCare Oklahoma could transport them to safety.
Those poor little bats! It’s heartbreaking to see them lying helpless on the concrete, but knowing that they’ve all been rescued makes the emotional rollercoaster worthwhile. Mari and her team are heroes for taking such delicate care of each and every one!
“How wonderful that the callers took such care to mark the bats but not touch them,” commented @themadjaywoman. “We’re running so low on compassion these days.”
Related: Video of Baby Bat Trying Her First Piece of a Plum Is So Cute We Can’t Stand It
Marking the bats was such a smart idea, but the kind bystanders had to get resourceful to mark each critter safely. WildCare rescued 47 bats from 3 species in this one spot alone, and 46 of them have already been fed, hydrated, and released back into the wild. The final bat is still recovering from minor injuries.
The Eastern Red bat and its rusty orange coat were especially striking, and its unique color may have been a saving grace for the other, smaller bats, who blended into the ground. No matter what it was that caught the callers’ eyes, these bats were incredibly lucky to have found a semi-safe spot to land.
Bat ‘Grounding’
What happened to cause this mass bat grounding in the middle of Oklahoma City? Bats may be common in urban areas, but they shouldn’t be on the ground, in the open, in the middle of the day.
Sadly, these bats (and many others) have been displaced by construction and cold temperatures. Displaced bats may resort to sleeping on the ground or in any sheltered space they can find, though it’s also common for them to get confused and land in dangerous places.
You should always call your local wildlife rescue, like WildCare Oklahoma, if you find a bat on the ground. If it is truly an emergency, such as a bat in the middle of a road, you can use gloves and a towel to gently scoop it up and move it to a safer location until help arrives. It really is that easy to be a bat’s hero!
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This story was originally reported by PetHelpful on Oct 30, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
