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Bat World Heartland was established in December 2004 as an outreach for bringing to the Midwest a place dedicated to the care and well being of bats.Iowa is home to nine species of insect eating bats including the big brown bat, little brown bat, red bat, evening bat, hoary bat, northern long eared bat, silver bat and eastern pipistrelle. The last on this list is the Indiana bat, which is also listed as a Federal Endangered species. Several Iowa bats are considered as species of “special concern” because records show their numbers are declining at alarming rates. State law protects all bats in Iowa. Recognized as one of the most common bats throughout the United States is the big brown bat (Eptesicus Fuscus), pictured right. It is the bat most likely to be encountered by humans. They sometimes take up residence in buildings as their habitat dwindles and is lost to urban sprawl. Often in summer many of the bats that are found in buildings are merely displaced juveniles, the teenagers of the bat world! These bats pose little threat to humans. None the less, situations like these need to be addressed in a safe and humane way. Click onto Found a Bat or Got Bats or proper ways to handle bats in buildings.All bats play a significant role in our environment. They are at the top of the predator list of night flying insects: the kind that cost millions of dollars a year to the Midwest farming community.
Most people have never seen a bat and don’t usually ever even think about bats until they have an encounter with one. More than likely that unexpected meeting quickly brings to mind some of the scary misconceptions (see myths and facts) associated with the fear and misunderstanding that come from these myths. Bat World Heartland exists to make encounters such as these a safe and positive experience for both the humans and the bats.
IF YOU HAVE FOUND A BAT ----DON’T PANIC!!!!
Bats are shy and non aggressive and don’t want to be near
you any more than you want them in your house.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BAT WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!
To do so will jeopardize the life of the bat as well as your own. The United States Center for Disease Control recommends that if a bat is found in a room with anyone unable to confirm there has been no contact with the bat, such as an infant, a severely mentally handicapped person, or someone intoxicated, the family physician or local heath department be notified immediately.
If it has been determined no one has had saliva contact with the bat, click onto Found a Bat for instructions on what to do and how to safely proceed.
For additional help you may contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
563-355-7831
563-650-3829
Or, check the Local Rescue page on this web site to find the closest qualified person to help you. Please do not try to take care of the bat on your own. In most states it is illegal for you to do so and bats have very special needs that only trained people can give.
SOME RESCUE STORIES
Hatred, most likely because of ignorance, brought Hidalgo, a big brown bat (pictured) to our Center completely covered with paint. A handy man working in an apartment complex uncovered the hibernating bat and tried to kill it by attacking it with a can of spray paint. The lady in the apartment, appalled by the cruelty of the act, safely gathered up the downed bat and transported it to the Human Society. The condition of the bat was so horrendous, it was almost euthanized on the spot. Fortunately, for Hidalgo, one of the officers saw that little spark of life so worthy of these amazing animals and brought the bat to Bat World Heartland. After hours of painstaking cleaning he was nearly free of paint. More care and cleaning and two more months of recovery time to allow for the hair to grow back in and to see if any permanent damage had been done to the eyes and ears gave Hidalgo his freedom.
 A little northern long eared bat was not quite as fortunate. Claire came to the sanctuary after being attacked by a frightened and uninformed woman. When she realized what she had done to the bat, she sought help for it. The picture shows Claire immediately after surgery on her wing which had to be partially amputated. On the positive side of this tragedy is the fact that the woman realized that trying to kill something she feared was not the way to handle an unexpected encounter with a bat or any wildlife.
And sweet tempered Claire lives with her friend, Bella, another female of her kind, here at the Center because of similar circumstances. Claire and Bella both play an important role as representatives of their species in educating the public about the importance of bats in the world which we live.
Education takes place through each rehabilitation experience; often one bat at a time. Bat World Heartland seeks to promote positive attitudes and behavior towards bats and all wildlife not just through rehabilitation but through a variety of educational programs.
 The classroom provides a perfect setting for fostering a new awareness and appreciation for bats. Our education bats have changed many attitudes of our future generation and created in them a desire to learn more about bats and the importance of a balanced ecosystem. For many adults who have grown up with all the fear and misunderstanding associated with the myths about bats, it is often once again the education bats that help to change those attitudes.
Bat World Heartland visits area classrooms and Scout troops at their request. Education bats give the children an opportunity to see and get connected and learn how they can help bats. Sponsoring a bat from Bat World Sanctuary (check out adopt a bat page by clicking here) is the only fee charged for one of these programs. Please call if you would like to have Bat World Heartland come to your classroom or troop meeting.
We also are available to make other public appearances as well as a program about living in harmony with urban wildlife. All funds collected for these programs go directly for the care and rehabilitation of bats. You can contact me for more information regarding time, set up, dates and fees.
If you are interested in having Bat World Heartland come to your school or group to do a bat presentation please contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
Bettendorf, IA
Phone: 563-355-7831
E-mail: bwheartland@batworld.org
Vera Blevins, Director, Bat World Heartland
Mom, Grandma, State and Federal Licensed
Wildlife Rehabilitator, and Animal Activist.
 Having spent most of her childhood on a farm in SE Iowa, Vera’s life has always been intertwined with animals, both domestic and everything she encountered on countless adventures along the creeks and in the timber on that farm. Marriage, motherhood and a job occupied most of her adult life but still animals remained a part of it. As the maternal nest emptied, the commitment to wildlife rehabilitation started filling the nest again…..literally.
Vera has been rehabilitating Iowa’s indigenous species for over 15 years. And with rehabbing comes education.She views each experience as an opportunity to speak out for the animals. Also in answering hundreds of phone calls a year from the public she provides the community a place to find help and solutions in dealing with urban wildlife. In 2000 she was awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award for her community service through wildlife rehabilitation.
It was about 10 years ago that Vera had her first one on one encounter with a bat. It was that memorable meeting that blossomed into a love affair for the amazing creatures and created a desire to be an activist and advocate for these too often misunderstood animals. Finally in 2004 she was able to attend Bat World’s Boot Camp and receive the professional instruction she needed to continue her work with bats.
Heartland, a regional rescue center for Bat World, was established in December 2004. It is a home based rehab center located in the small community of Bettendorf, IA, one of the four cities representing the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities located along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. The surrounding farmlands, forest, and wetlands make this a wonderful place for bats to live.
Today Heartland proudly exists to represent, protect, educate, and provide a safe sanctuary for bats in need. Several non-releasable bats live here as life long residents to be ambassadors for their species.
For additional information contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
Bettendorf, IA
Phone: 563-355-7831
bwheartland@batworld.org
Gift certificates from UPCO will help to buy vitamin supplements and medical supplies.
Bat World Heartland is in need of a good, used slide projector and carousel for educational programs. RECEIVED FROM DEBBIE COTTTRELL, DVM - THANK YOU!
For additional information contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
Bettendorf, IA
Phone: 563-355-7831
E-mail: bwheartland@batworld.org
| First Name: |
Vera |
| Last Name: |
Blevins |
| Home: |
Bat World Heartland was established in December 2004 as an outreach for bringing to the Midwest a place dedicated to the care and well being of bats.Iowa is home to nine species of insect eating bats including the big brown bat, little brown bat, red bat, evening bat, hoary bat, northern long eared bat, silver bat and eastern pipistrelle. The last on this list is the Indiana bat, which is also listed as a Federal Endangered species. Several Iowa bats are considered as species of “special concern” because records show their numbers are declining at alarming rates. State law protects all bats in Iowa. Recognized as one of the most common bats throughout the United States is the big brown bat (Eptesicus Fuscus), pictured right. It is the bat most likely to be encountered by humans. They sometimes take up residence in buildings as their habitat dwindles and is lost to urban sprawl. Often in summer many of the bats that are found in buildings are merely displaced juveniles, the teenagers of the bat world! These bats pose little threat to humans. None the less, situations like these need to be addressed in a safe and humane way. Click onto Found a Bat or Got Bats or proper ways to handle bats in buildings.All bats play a significant role in our environment. They are at the top of the predator list of night flying insects: the kind that cost millions of dollars a year to the Midwest farming community. |
| Rescue: |
Most people have never seen a bat and don’t usually ever even think about bats until they have an encounter with one. More than likely that unexpected meeting quickly brings to mind some of the scary misconceptions (see myths and facts) associated with the fear and misunderstanding that come from these myths. Bat World Heartland exists to make encounters such as these a safe and positive experience for both the humans and the bats.
IF YOU HAVE FOUND A BAT ----DON’T PANIC!!!!
Bats are shy and non aggressive and don’t want to be near
you any more than you want them in your house.
DO NOT TOUCH THE BAT WITH YOUR BARE HANDS!
To do so will jeopardize the life of the bat as well as your own. The United States Center for Disease Control recommends that if a bat is found in a room with anyone unable to confirm there has been no contact with the bat, such as an infant, a severely mentally handicapped person, or someone intoxicated, the family physician or local heath department be notified immediately.
If it has been determined no one has had saliva contact with the bat, click onto Found a Bat for instructions on what to do and how to safely proceed.
For additional help you may contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
563-355-7831
563-650-3829
Or, check the Local Rescue page on this web site to find the closest qualified person to help you. Please do not try to take care of the bat on your own. In most states it is illegal for you to do so and bats have very special needs that only trained people can give.
SOME RESCUE STORIES
Hatred, most likely because of ignorance, brought Hidalgo, a big brown bat (pictured) to our Center completely covered with paint. A handy man working in an apartment complex uncovered the hibernating bat and tried to kill it by attacking it with a can of spray paint. The lady in the apartment, appalled by the cruelty of the act, safely gathered up the downed bat and transported it to the Human Society. The condition of the bat was so horrendous, it was almost euthanized on the spot. Fortunately, for Hidalgo, one of the officers saw that little spark of life so worthy of these amazing animals and brought the bat to Bat World Heartland. After hours of painstaking cleaning he was nearly free of paint. More care and cleaning and two more months of recovery time to allow for the hair to grow back in and to see if any permanent damage had been done to the eyes and ears gave Hidalgo his freedom.
A little northern long eared bat was not quite as fortunate. Claire came to the sanctuary after being attacked by a frightened and uninformed woman. When she realized what she had done to the bat, she sought help for it. The picture shows Claire immediately after surgery on her wing which had to be partially amputated. On the positive side of this tragedy is the fact that the woman realized that trying to kill something she feared was not the way to handle an unexpected encounter with a bat or any wildlife.
And sweet tempered Claire lives with her friend, Bella, another female of her kind, here at the Center because of similar circumstances. Claire and Bella both play an important role as representatives of their species in educating the public about the importance of bats in the world which we live. |
| Education: |
Education takes place through each rehabilitation experience; often one bat at a time. Bat World Heartland seeks to promote positive attitudes and behavior towards bats and all wildlife not just through rehabilitation but through a variety of educational programs.
The classroom provides a perfect setting for fostering a new awareness and appreciation for bats. Our education bats have changed many attitudes of our future generation and created in them a desire to learn more about bats and the importance of a balanced ecosystem. For many adults who have grown up with all the fear and misunderstanding associated with the myths about bats, it is often once again the education bats that help to change those attitudes.
Bat World Heartland visits area classrooms and Scout troops at their request. Education bats give the children an opportunity to see and get connected and learn how they can help bats. Sponsoring a bat from Bat World Sanctuary (check out adopt a bat page by clicking here) is the only fee charged for one of these programs. Please call if you would like to have Bat World Heartland come to your classroom or troop meeting.
We also are available to make other public appearances as well as a program about living in harmony with urban wildlife. All funds collected for these programs go directly for the care and rehabilitation of bats. You can contact me for more information regarding time, set up, dates and fees.
If you are interested in having Bat World Heartland come to your school or group to do a bat presentation please contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
Bettendorf, IA
Phone: 563-355-7831
E-mail: bwheartland@batworld.org |
| About Us: |
Vera Blevins, Director, Bat World Heartland
Mom, Grandma, State and Federal Licensed
Wildlife Rehabilitator, and Animal Activist.
Having spent most of her childhood on a farm in SE Iowa, Vera’s life has always been intertwined with animals, both domestic and everything she encountered on countless adventures along the creeks and in the timber on that farm. Marriage, motherhood and a job occupied most of her adult life but still animals remained a part of it. As the maternal nest emptied, the commitment to wildlife rehabilitation started filling the nest again…..literally.
Vera has been rehabilitating Iowa’s indigenous species for over 15 years. And with rehabbing comes education.She views each experience as an opportunity to speak out for the animals. Also in answering hundreds of phone calls a year from the public she provides the community a place to find help and solutions in dealing with urban wildlife. In 2000 she was awarded the Governor's Volunteer Award for her community service through wildlife rehabilitation.
It was about 10 years ago that Vera had her first one on one encounter with a bat. It was that memorable meeting that blossomed into a love affair for the amazing creatures and created a desire to be an activist and advocate for these too often misunderstood animals. Finally in 2004 she was able to attend Bat World’s Boot Camp and receive the professional instruction she needed to continue her work with bats.
Heartland, a regional rescue center for Bat World, was established in December 2004. It is a home based rehab center located in the small community of Bettendorf, IA, one of the four cities representing the Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities located along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. The surrounding farmlands, forest, and wetlands make this a wonderful place for bats to live.
Today Heartland proudly exists to represent, protect, educate, and provide a safe sanctuary for bats in need. Several non-releasable bats live here as life long residents to be ambassadors for their species.
For additional information contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
Bettendorf, IA
Phone: 563-355-7831
bwheartland@batworld.org |
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| Wish List: |
Gift certificates from UPCO will help to buy vitamin supplements and medical supplies.
Bat World Heartland is in need of a good, used slide projector and carousel for educational programs. RECEIVED FROM DEBBIE COTTTRELL, DVM - THANK YOU!
For additional information contact:
Vera Blevins
Bat World Heartland
Bettendorf, IA
Phone: 563-355-7831
E-mail: bwheartland@batworld.org |
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Bat World Heartland |
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