BAT WORLD SANCTUARY

The Largest Bat Sanctuary on Earth

Bat World Sanctuary is on the front line to end the mistreatment of bats. Each year we rescue hundreds of bats who might otherwise die. Lifetime sanctuary is given to non-releasable bats, including those that are orphaned, injured, and rescued from the exotic pet trade, zoos and research facilities. We are also involved in conservation efforts both locally and internationally.

Bat World was founded in 1994 and is a 501c3 non-profit, accredited organization with the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries.

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Today is North Texas Giving Day!
Last year we raised over $33,000 to have a fire alarm system installed inside the sanctuary, and we are happy to report that we now have an extra layer of security for the bats, thanks to YOU!
This year, we are raising funds for something a bit different. Over time, as more bats have been rescued from zoos, laboratory research, and the cruel exotic pet trade, we fear our flight areas will become over-crowded. We need to prepare in advance so fruit bats in dire need of rescue will have immediate help. The best solution is to create a rescue center in the north, much like Bat World Sanctuary, where so many rescues have happened this year. Consequently, we are partnering with Pennsylvania Bat Rescue to build a flight area for rescued fruit bats in the Northeast. Over the years, PA Bat Rescue has been a waystation for fruit bats while they prepare for their trip to Bat World in Texas, like precious Sara, seen below.
With the construction of a flight area specifically for rescued fruit bats, following our guidelines, PA Bat Rescue will be capable of offering permanent sanctuary to non-native bats in need. This will allow even more bats to be saved and lessen the stress caused by transport to Texas. With their extensive bat experience, we are confident PA Bat Rescue will offer the very best of care! We need to raise $25,000 to go towards the construction cost of a rehabilitation room that includes a large flight area for rescued fruit bats. The estimated completion date is early 2024.
Thank you, so very much, for helping us save fruit bats across the U.S. in need of rescue! We have several ways to donate:
North Texas Giving Day: https://www.northtexasgivingday.org/login?redirectUrl=/story/4rdwxf/donations
Bat World: https://batworld.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donation-form
PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/batworld

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Just sweet little Zogi popping in to say, "Hey, how`s it going?" 😁

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Happy #wingywednesday! 🦇

Over the weekend we shared a post about this unique little bat here named Ethereal.

Etheral was an albino Mexican freetail, which is super rare! It`s estimated that only 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 1 million animals are born with Albinism. And while we might think the albino coloring is beautiful, it makes life difficult for animals with this condition. Etheral was lucky to have been found and could live her life out in sanctuary, as being bright white and pink is not the best camouflage for a nocturnal little bat. She would have been easy to spot by predators.

Albinism is a genetic condition where the cells in the body are unable to produce melanin. Melanin is the amino acid in our bodies that produces the pigments in our hair, skin and eyes. Albinism also comes with other health issues as well, such as poor eye sight and albinism immunodeficiency. These conditions make it even harder of course, for animals to survive in the wild and also to reproduce. Albino animals are often isolated and have a difficult time finding a mate because of their appearance.

As always, thank you for the support, and we hope our Wingy-Wednesday bat facts tickle your brain! Drop your questions or suggestions for Wingy-Wednesday in the comments below, it might end up featured on the next post! ❤🦇

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Good evening, little Baxter! ❤️

Baxter is an Egyptian fruit bat, and one of our adoptable bats over in the batworld.org store. Every might, he hangs right around the same spot and waits for a caretaker to come by with melon treats. Lately, he`s really started begging for his snacks by flapping his wings all about. 🦇

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Happy #batbootyfriday! 🦇
This tiny tush belongs to Bean, our little freetail juvie who may be small, but has a huge personality. While Bean is smaller than his other freetail friends, that doesn`t stop him from being an adorable little rascal.
We think his back end and his front end are both super cute, but you certainly can`t beat a tiny beanie-baby booty! 😁

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We need a #BatHero!

A little bat needs a ride from Kingman CA to the rescuer in Williams AZ. If you are able to help with this on Saturday (Sept 16th), please give us a call at 940-325-3404.

Want to sign up to help future bats in need? Become a transport volunteer! By signing up with the form linked below, you aren`t committing to anything specific. You are simply giving us, as well as other bat rescuers, permission to contact you if we have a bat in need of transport in your area.
https://forms.gle/yPTYPey5nCyYWwsS9

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Here is a cute video of an African working smarter, not harder, to get some yummy treats. He is using the chain to pull the treat cup to himself. ❤🦇

Bats are highly intelligent, they actually have the same IQ level as dolphins! They also love to play and need lots of enrichment to be happy. This is why we fill their enclosure with toys, folliage, and treat puzzles. 😁

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Happy #WingyWednesday! 🦇

This week we are featuring the flying fox. Flying foxes are a common favorite among bat lovers, as they look very fox or puppy-like in appearance. The most commonly known flying fox is the Indian flying fox, the same species as Captian and Starley, who reside here at Bat World Sanctuary. However, there are actually about 60 different species of flying fox!

The Indian flying fox is a mega fruit bat, with a wing span between 3-5 ft and a life span 15 in the wild and even longer in captivity. A common misconception is that they echolocate like other bats, however these guys are among the species that do not. They rely on sight and smell to find their dinner and have great eye sight and even better low-light vision.

Flying foxes are frugivorous and may sometimes eat flowers for nectar as well. They like to eat mango, guava, bananas, and figs. They are also very important to their local ecosystems, as they are great seed dispersers. In some countries, these sweet animals are considered vermin because they make their way into fruit farms. It`s an unfair label considering they really only do so because deforestation forces them from their natural habitats. So far, 6 flying fox species has been made extinct due to overhunting. It has also been proven that flying foxes prefer overripe fruit, the kind fruit flies multiply in. Studies have proven that that allowing fruit flies to reproduce damages crop more than the flying fox ever could.

These incredible bats are also highly intelligent. They have the same IQ levels as dolphins, they love to play, and need to socialize and have enrichment. This is why we fill our fruit bat enclosure with toys, foliage, and treat puzzles.

While we love all bats, it`s easy to see why the Indian flying fox is a favorite. What`s your favorite bat species? We`d love to hear!

As always, thank you for the support, and let us know if you have any questions or suggestions for Wingy-Wednesday, it might end up featured on the next post! ❤🦇

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