Unknown – January, 2007

BERT’S STORY

Bert was a lion-hearted little brown bat who survived all odds.

In early spring of 2002, Bert was found in the sub-zero snowdrifts of Glacier National Park in Alaska, barely clinging to life. The wings that once carried him so well, the ears that once twitched as they echolocated and the tail pouch that held his nightly catch, were all now consumed by the insidious effects of frostbite. But through the caring heart of the Park Wilderness Manager, Bert was rescued from his frozen environment and brought to safety. Bat World was contacted to see if it was possible to save Bert’s life and give him a quality captive care life. Through the cooperation of Alaska Fish and Game, this tiny miracle of miracles that weighed less than a quarter, was placed in a specially designed 20 lb., heavily padded, bat transport case and shipped on an Alaskan Airlines jet that was met at midnight at the Dallas, TX Airport. Bert was immediately transferred to Bat World Sanctuary where he received the critical care he so desperately needed.

Bert bravely accepted his fate as the effects of the frostbite claimed his delicate fingers, thumbs, forearms, ears and tail. Slowly these vital parts of his body turned to necrotic tissue and eventually had to be removed. But through it all, Bert persevered, maintained his pleasant disposition and nuzzled his tiny face against his caregiver’s hand to let her know everything was okay. Bert is one of those rare creatures who gave inspiration to those around him. He learned to self-feed and seemed very happy in the specially padded cage that he shared with another non-releasable little brown bat named Emmy. He had padded cave rocks, a lush foliage ceiling and a one-inch thick foam floor with flannel coverings in the winter to keep him warm and sheeting in the summer to keep him cool.

Bert spent several years with us before passing away of kidney failure. He remained faithful to his lady-love Emmy throughout his short life with us. Bert was truly a lion-hearted tiny miracle, and to this day is sorely missed.