As the president of Townsville Bat Rescue Australia, CJ, a licensed animal carer, is always eager to help a flying friend in need.
When CJ recently got a call about an Australian black flying fox who was trapped in a suburban pool, the rescuer quickly headed to the scene. Surveying the area, CJ spotted the juvenile bat in the clear blue water, desperately clinging to the edge of the pool.
According to CJ, bats like this one often swoop down from the air and drink from rivers. Sometimes, though, the bats mistakenly fly down to drink from a pool, fall in and get stuck, unable to grip the pool’s slippery rim.
“This girl had struggled for quite a while and was exhausted,” CJ told The Dodo.
Using a towel, CJ carefully grabbed the bat and moved her into a carrier. The confused bat made a few anxious sounds in defense, but soon settled down.
You can watch the rescue unfold in a video here:
Safe in care, the bat could finally relax.
“The little girl came home to quarantine for a few days to recover,” CJ said. “She rested [and] started drinking and eating.”
Today, this bat is living with 25 other juvenile rescue bats, getting stronger by the day and preparing for her eventual release.
Thanks to CJ’s expertise, this little girl will soon be back in the wild, where she belongs.