“[She] struggled for quite a while …”
As president of Townsville Bat Rescue Australia, CJ — a licensed wildlife carer — is always ready to step in when a winged creature needs help.
Not long ago, CJ received an urgent call about a young Australian black flying fox stuck in a backyard swimming pool. Without hesitation, she rushed over. When she arrived, she spotted the juvenile bat struggling in the bright blue water, gripping the pool’s edge with what little strength she had left.
Bats like her typically swoop down over rivers or natural water sources for a quick drink while in flight. Unfortunately, backyard pools can sometimes trick them. They attempt to drink, fall in, and then can’t climb out because of the pool’s slick, smooth sides.
“This little girl had been struggling for quite some time and was completely worn out,” CJ told The Dodo.
Using a soft towel, CJ gently lifted the exhausted bat from the water and placed her inside a secure carrier. Startled and unsure, the bat let out a few nervous sounds at first, but it didn’t take long for her to calm down.
Once safely back at the rescue facility, she finally had the chance to rest.
“She came home for a few days of quarantine so she could recover,” CJ explained. “She slept, rehydrated, and slowly began eating and drinking again.”
Now, she’s living alongside 25 other young rescued bats, regaining her strength a little more each day. With proper care and time to heal, she’ll soon be ready to return to the wild — right where she belongs.