Ten rare bats at Jersey Zoo die from infection

Friday, 25 April 2025 07:21

Ten rare Livingstone's fruit bats at Jersey Zoo have died from an infection.

Pasteurellosis was found in the colony.

Though the Pasteurella bacteria is found naturally in bats, the zoo says an infection can occur when there is an imbalance with the immune system.

More than seventy bats were immediately moved and separated into smaller groups and treated with antibiotics.

That quick action has been described as 'positive' and effective and keepers continue to monitor the situation closely.

Dr Allan Muir, Head of Veterinary Services says they are also working with UK vets to understand the disease in detail and to produce a vaccine to try to protect the bat colony in the future.

Ben Matthews, Curator of Mammals at Jersey Zoo, said:

“A huge amount of planning, preparation and time goes into any animal move, from international animal transports to internal enclosure transfers, so when you consider over 70 bats were moved successfully in one day, we must be so proud of the effort and cross departmental collaboration, especially under such challenging conditions

“We will continue to be guided by objective data to shape and refine not only the current management of fruit bats at the zoo, but how we look after the animals moving forward.”

The bat tunnel remains closed and the endangered species are not on view to the public.

Jersey Zoo says it will use the closure to renovate the ageing tunnel structure.

Livingstone's fruit bats can be found in the wild on the Anjouan and Mohéli islands of the Comoros in the Indian Ocean, but populations continue to decline.

They are threatened due to habit loss caused by deforestation and tropical storms.

Jersey Zoo has cared for the species for more than 30 years, working to save it from extinction.