Rare bat found in bathroom

Nyctalus leisleri bats are rarely seen in Jersey, according to Jersey Bat Group

A rare bat was discovered in the bathroom of a private residence in Jersey before being rescued and released by specialists.

The Nyctalus leisleri bat was discovered on Thursday in the bathroom of a private property in the Rozel area of St Martin.

The species is rarely seen in the island having only been recorded once before, in 2002, according to the Jersey Bat Group.

Group training officer Miranda Collett said the animal was assessed and successfully released back into the wild.

'Voracious appetite'

Jersey Bat Group, which surveys and monitors the animals, said it had received 20 bats for rehabilitation this summer.

Ms Collett said: "The male adult was brought in to me by a caring person and was in need of hydration and feeding."

She said the bat had its flying ability assessed, but was calm and gentle, with a voracious appetite.

The training officer added the bat was released successfully at Rozel on Thursday evening in the garden of house where it had been found.