The second edition of the Bat Workers' Manual was produced in 1999 and has been one of JNCC's best selling publications. It provided detailed information on all aspects of bats and has been an essential reference manual for anyone wishing to obtain a licence to carry out bat work in the UK.

 

The third edition has been produced just five years later due to the tragic death of a bat worker in Scotland from European Bat Lyssavirus (EBLV). This signalled a fundamental change in the way organisations and individuals approach bat work. Taken together with two records of EBLV in Daubenton's bats in England, it must now be assumed that the virus is present in bats in the UK and that bat-handling practices, and health and safety advice, must change.

 

 

The new manual incorporates required changes and includes recommendations on the handling of bats, vaccinations against EBLV and a list of contact details for finding up-to-date advice on the subject. Updated information on legislation, and other advice, has also been included.

 

The excellent drawings by Tom McOwat have almost all been retained, with some updated diagrams where necessary to reflect the changes in health and safety practices, but the cover has a completely new look and a number of beautiful bat photographs by Frank Greenaway have been added.

 

In order to ensure that the new health and safety information is available to everyone who needs it, JNCC is providing the 3rd edition free of charge to all those who return their 2nd edition, complete, to their publications distributors. NHBS Ltd, 2-3 Wills Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5XN. Please include your name and address with your return. PLEASE DO NOT SEND YOUR RETURNS TO JNCC.

 

Additional copies of the 3rd edition of the Bat Workers' Manual (Eds A.J. Mitchell-Jones and A. McLeish) are available price £20.00, or at a special price of £10.00 to licensed bat workers. The NHBS website is at www.nhbs.com