Wing wasting is caused by a bacteria that exists in damp conditions as well as on rotted wood. The bats were likely roosting on the decaying beams inside the part of the building that had not collapsed. Bats hang with their toes, and also groom their fur with their feet and toes. They likely ingested the bacteria and spread it to their wings when cleaning their toes after grooming. The disease is very painful, so when bats with wing wasting try to fly, they don’t make it very far. All of the rescued bats are receiving pain medication, injectable fluids, antibiotics and Biogamma cream on their wings, which destroys surface bacteria on the wings. These medications run hundreds of dollars at a time. Thankfully, the most of the bats should be releasable after a few weeks of round-the-clock care. Lifetime sanctuary will be given to those that can no longer fly.