Bat experts in Geneva have described finding a specimen of one of Europe’s largest bats is like finding a Mona Lisa in the attic.
The European free tailed bat has a wingspan of 40 cm and a tail similar to a rat.
Manuel Ruedi from the Natural History Museum says it’s the first time the bat has been found in Geneva. They’re normally found in warmer climates around the Mediterranean or further south.
The animal found in Geneva had been injured – its wing had been crushed. It’s thought it may have been sleeping behind a shutter, which was then opened.
Unfortunately, vets decided the injury could not be fixed, so it was out to sleep.
Financial authorities have fined the Geneva based Mirabaud Bank and confiscated some profits after it was determined they didn’t report suspicious money transfers which could be linked to laundering or tax evasion.