Tourists are horrified after waking up to find 250 bats crawling all over their hotel room.
- Couple were staying in a hotel in Plzen when they woke up to 250 bats in the room
- Scary photos show animal rescuer trying to catch creatures in net
Holidaymakers in the Czech Republic were mortified after waking up to find more than 250 bats sleeping in their hotel rooms.
Cringe-inducing photos show animal rescuer Radek Zemen and the hotel receptionist attempting to capture the 256 creatures that had dozed off after flying through an open window.
The guests, a couple, were staying at the three-star Art Nouveau Sloven Hotel in the city of Plzen when they decided to leave their room window open before going to sleep.
They had also left the bedroom door leading to the hallway slightly ajar due to the stifling heat.
But when they woke up, they found the 256 soprano bats dozing on the walls, ceiling and curtains. Eleven others were found dead.
Holidaymakers in the Czech Republic were mortified after waking up to find more than 250 bats sleeping in their hotel rooms. Pictured: An animal rescuer tries to catch the bats
When guests woke up, they found the 256 soprano bats dozing on the walls, ceiling and curtains.
Creepy photos show animal rescuer Radek Zemen and the hotel receptionist trying to catch the 256 creatures.
The unnamed couple have now been told it was their fault their room was crawling with the creatures.
Animal welfare center spokesperson Karel Makoň said: “A record number of 256 live bats and 11 dead bats were found in room no. 212, where irresponsible guests, then the maid, left the window open.
“The hall door was also left open, so about 50 bats were hiding in the space between the wall and ceiling, near the furniture.”
“The receptionist showed us a leaflet in three international languages stating that guests should not leave windows open as there is a risk of bat infestation.
“But as you can see, unfortunately it’s in vain, it’s in vain, it’s in vain. Even though the leaflet is in every room.
“Even the housekeeper didn’t bother to close the door and windows, which allowed dozens of flying mammals to enter easily.”
He added: “As long as the hot weather lasts, you should expect an uninvited visit from bats.
“As soon as it gets noticeably colder, the bats move to other places.”
The unnamed couple staying at the hotel were told it was their fault their room was crawling with the creatures.
The guests decided to leave their bedroom window open before going to sleep. They had also left the bedroom door leading to the hallway slightly ajar due to the stifling heat. Pictured: the animal rescuer and the hotel receptionist
For several years, Czech authorities have been warning the local population against “bat invasions” in August and September.
The town of Plzen lies in the middle of bat migration routes, making it a natural stopover.
According to the Czech Union of Nature Conservators, between August and September last year, rescue stations found a total of 1,306 bats in apartments and hotel rooms.
The organization said: “Since bats can enter your apartment even through a window, the simplest solution is to completely close the windows at night. »
Last year, at a hotel in the spa town of Karlovy Vary, 400 bats entered a room through an open air vent, but were unable to escape.
Nearly half of them died.
Animal rescuer Vilém Babič said at the time: “Initially we planned to save 100 bats, but when we saw the destruction and started counting, we reached four times that number.
“It really is a disaster.”
The soprano bat is one of the smallest bats living in the Czech Republic.
It feeds on flying insects and often inhabits city parks, uninsulated panel houses and natural crevices and cavities.
