Scientists and volunteers work to protect displaced bats at an Italian Bat Conservation, in photos
A view of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
Often misunderstood and largely invisible, bats are emerging as a key frontline species in Italy’s biodiversity crisis, with volunteers and scientists working to protect them from habitat loss, climate pressures and human disturbance.
Operating through a nationwide network, volunteers respond to calls from citizens who find injured or displaced bats, guiding first aid and often reintroducing animals into the wild.
Francesca Gentili holds a European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association where she volunteers, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Francesca Gentili holds a European free-tailed bat (Tadarida teniotis) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association where she volunteers, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Francesca Gentili holds an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association where she volunteers, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Francesca Gentili holds an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association where she volunteers, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alessandra Tommasini looks for Common Pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), in a shelter for displaced bats run by her “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alessandra Tommasini looks for Common Pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus), in a shelter for displaced bats run by her “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Francesca Gentili feeds milk to a Common Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the"Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Associationn where she volunteers, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Francesca Gentili feeds milk to a Common Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the"Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Associationn where she volunteers, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alessandra Tommasini holds a Common Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by her “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alessandra Tommasini holds a Common Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by her “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alessandra Tommasini holds an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by her “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alessandra Tommasini holds an Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by her “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A view of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
A view of Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini
Alessandra Tommasini, background and Alessandro Paggi evaluate the flying g capabilities of Common Pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
Alessandra Tommasini, background and Alessandro Paggi evaluate the flying g capabilities of Common Pipistrelle bats (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A Common Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) flies in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
A Common Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) flies in a shelter for displaced bats run by the “Tutela Pipistrelli” Italian Bat Conservation Association, in Rome, Wednesday, July 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)
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This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
