“He fully relaxes …”
In 2023, the team at Bat World Sanctuary in Texas received an urgent call about a troubling situation unfolding hundreds of miles away. Eleven captive bats were being housed at a Florida museum under conditions that failed to meet their basic needs, and someone caring for them feared for their well-being.
“These bats were living in unacceptable conditions,” a representative from Bat World Sanctuary told The Dodo. “A deeply worried caregiver reached out, hoping we could help.”
Many of the bats were already elderly, and time was not on their side. After arrangements were made, all eleven were transported safely to Bat World Sanctuary, where they were welcomed into the facility’s geriatric care unit. For the first time in years, they were given a quiet, safe place to rest — along with something else they’d long been missing: kindness.
Among the rescued bats was an Egyptian fruit bat named Bunny. Staff chose his name because of his plush fur and gentle personality.
“He’s incredibly sweet,” the sanctuary shared. “Most days, Bunny can be found eating, napping, or snuggled up in a cozy pouch beside his closest companion, Bugs.”
Believed to be in his late teens, Bunny quickly embraced sanctuary life — especially the extra attention that comes with it. One of his favorite treats is what the caretakers affectionately call “spa time.”
“He absolutely adores grooming,” the sanctuary explained. “He gets brushed softly, gently cleaned, and then wrapped in a warm towel to relax.”
In a recently shared video, a volunteer named John carefully massages Bunny using a cotton swab. The elderly bat visibly relaxes, completely at ease as he enjoys the gentle care.
“He just melts,” the sanctuary said. “He trusts us enough to let us take over.”
After nearly 20 years spent without proper care, Bunny and the other rescued bats are now experiencing comfort and compassion beyond anything they’d known before.
Their story is just one example of the sanctuary’s broader mission. Bat World Sanctuary currently provides care for nearly 700 bats. Many, like Bunny, are non-native species and cannot be released back into the wild. At the same time, the organization rescues and rehabilitates hundreds of native bats each year, most of which are eventually returned to their natural habitats.
It’s work fueled by dedication and empathy — and judging by Bunny’s peaceful expressions, it makes all the difference.