12 bats born at Jersey Zoo since infection outbreak

Friday, 13 June 2025 07:34

Credit: Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust

12 Livingstone's fruit bat pups have been born at Jersey Zoo as the colony continues to recover from a fatal disease outbreak earlier this year.

The bats were relocated behind closed doors earlier this year when a deadly disease spread killing ten of the rare creatures.

Pasteurellosis was detected, forcing keepers to separate the seventy bats into smaller groups to treat them with antibiotics.

The Bat Roost remains closed to visitors.

We're told the bats are settled and are still being monitored by vets.

There have not been any more deaths. In fact, the zoo has been celebrating the births of 12 pups.

Keepers say the mums and baby bats are doing well.

Work continues on a vaccine, which is being developed by an outside company in partnership with Durrell and which will be a first for captive fruit bats.

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.

It says it is 'working through options' to get the bats back on public view.

*Update - 18 June

Jersey Zoo says it lost four of the 12 pups shortly after their births. "Whilst sad, this is not unusual as it is normal that a percentage of newborn bat pups don’t survive past the first 72 hours."