A CARMARTHENSHIRE motorist had an "unbelievable shock" when he discovered five bats inside a refuse bag in the middle of the road.
Huw Jones spotted the green refuse sack at the Maes Y Bont turn-off last Wednesday, November 11 at around 5.15pm.
He was surprised to find what he initially thought was a single bat - but after taking the bats to his nearby home he discovered a further four bats wrapped in different carrier bags inside the refuse sack.
Mr Jones safely stored the five brown long-eared bats - three of whom are female, and two male - in shoe boxes before transferring them to a local veterinary practice.
He said: "As I went to move the green bin liner out of the way on the road, I suddenly could very clearly see a bat inside and could not believe it.
“It certainly isn't what you expect to find on the A48. What an unbelievable shock. I initially thought the bag only contained one bat, but when I got home, I found more in a series of carrier bags tightly packed inside.
"My priority was to help these bats, and the best thing to do seemed to be to get them to a vet and thankfully they then went into the safe hands of the RSPCA.
"I kept them in our garden shed in shoe boxes overnight before transferring them to the local vets - and I'm so pleased to hear they've done well in the care of the RSPCA."
All five of the bats went into the care of the RSPCA, and were safely monitored by inspector Keith Hogben and animal rescue officer Ellie West before being released safely back into the wild.
The animal welfare charity has also launched an appeal for information in the hope of deciphering how and why the bats were in the green bag.
Inspector Hogben added: "We're so grateful to Mr Jones, who helped keep these bats safe with his quick action and compassion. He certainly deserves a big ‘bat’ on the back from us!
"It's a complete mystery at this stage how this bag ended up on the A48, or why someone had put these five poor bats inside it. Clearly, they were in great danger on the road but after a spell in our care have now - thankfully - been safely returned back to the wild.
"Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact our inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018."
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