Please help to protect our precious bats. "Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you." Frank Lloyd Wright Hello, and thank you for visiting my 'Bat Ko-Fi' page. My name is Su Shimeld, and my page is dedicated to my Bat Conservation work. I have loved all wildlife since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, and I've been rescuing wildlife: mammals, birds, amphibians, plus dogs and cats since childhood. I have also always enjoyed art and drawing our precious wildlife. For the past 18yrs, I've been a voluntary Registered Bat Carer. I care for rescued, orphaned pups (baby bats) and injured bats so that they can be released back into the wild. As my bat care work is voluntary, I rely on donations for bat food, medicines, heat mats, faunariums, and have recently re: built a much-needed 12 x 10ft bat flight in which to safely exercise my sky puppies. All rescues need to be test flown before being released to ensure they can fly well, manoeuvre quickly, hunt insects and support themselves back in the wild. In the UK there are 18 species of bats, 17 of which breed here. Sadly bat numbers have fallen dramatically over the last 50yrs due to habitat loss: trees, hedgerows, woodlands, cat attacks, destruction of roost sites, overuse of pesticides, and changes in agricultural practices. Many of our tiny, enigmatic, flying furry mammals can live up to 20-30 yrs of age and they need all the help they can get. I hope you enjoy my Batty news, photos, wildlife posts, and drawings, and if you can help me to support our precious little bats; every penny helps, and is very much appreciated. xx