Earlier this year, we also started the second phase of the Pasteurella multocida vaccine roll out for the Livingstone’s fruit bats at Jersey Zoo. We followed the same approach we took for the first dose, which involved undertaking daily health and welfare assessments on the bats and are pleased to report the vaccine roll out is now complete. This means, that due to the swift action from our team and by working with leading scientists to develop the vaccine for this species, the fruit bats in our care are the first in the world to be vaccinated against this disease.

As a science-led zoo we gather and analyse data on the individuals in our care. This data looks at factors such as overall health, wellbeing, the individual’s reproductive status and chances of breeding. As part of these checks, we identified nine bats with various issues that would make their transfer to other zoos inappropriate. This included those with chronic health issues, and older animals that are simply at or near the end of their natural lifespan. Following detailed and thorough discussions with the keeper team that look after them, the European breeding programme co-ordinator, as well as our vet team, we made the difficult decision to put these nine to sleep on medical, welfare and ethical grounds.  

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters who have reached out to us about the bats and to share their well wishes over the past 12 months. Although we are sad to say goodbye to this species at Jersey Zoo, we genuinely believe they are going to fantastic new homes and can’t wait to hear about their continued breeding success.