PEPPER
Three bats had been found inside a garage, and when the finder attempted to safely contain them using the instructions on our website, two of the bats flew away. Only one bat was left behind, and she appeared to be injured. Unfortunately poor Pepper’s wing was broken in two different places and could not be saved.
It has happened several times in our experiences where other free-tails have stayed by the side of another injured or distressed bat, and we believe the two bats that were found with Pepper were doing just that. Thankfully Pepper is not alone, and was welcomed with open wings by the other bats in our clinic “luxury suit”. There are other freetails just like her who are currently recovering from severe wing injuries as well, and she has made fast friends with them all. Each bat currently reciving treatment is marked with different colored ears usuing an animal safe, non-toxic paint so that caregivers can tell them apart. Sweet little Pepper, who is sporting yellow and red ears, along with the others will have round-the-clock care during recovery, and once fully healed, will join the other permanente sanctuary residents in our mini cave.
THE UPDATED HOSPICE UNIT
After completing our new “GeriBATric” enclosure, we had enough materials left over to build a new hospice unit as well. We keep a separate enclosure in our clinic for our fruit bats who need further intensive care. While we provide round-the-clock care to our geriatric residents, but sometimes the bats need extra support during the end of life stages. This hospice unit is designed to offer the most comfortable resting place, as well as having everything they need easily accessible just like the geriatric enclosure. Because this unit is in the clinic rather than the flight enclosure, it provides a quieter, more calm environment for them and there is always a staff member present from morning to evening, who can provide frequent check-ups and immediate care when needed.
Thanks to the overwhelming support we received with rebuilding our geriatric enclosure, we were able to upgrade this unit, allowing caregivers easier access to the bats within and it can be clean more quickly and efficiently than the previous set up, which means less stress for our most delicate patients. We love our bats dearly, and we not only want to ensure our residents live their lives happily and peacefully in the sanctuary, but they are also as comfortable as possible when the moment comes to say goodbye to the precious lives who touched our hearts.
LEARNING CENTER
Unfortunately the construction on our Learning Center has come to a standstill due to a lack of funding. However, that has not swayed us from continuing the internship program for the summer of 2025. Rather than being able to host two interns for up to a month long internship, we are utilizing our small guest room for week long stays for one student at a time. This has of course put a damper on our program, but we will still continue to train students come this pup season, and we are looking forward to being able to continue the construction on our Learning Center once we have acquired the funding needed.
The Learning Center will not only provide a space for additional classes and programs, such as educational programs for children and rehabilitating courses, but having a second building on site to house multiple interns at a time and for longer durations, means we can double or even triple the amount of essential hands on training we provide for future caregivers and rehabbers. Interns apply from all around the world, and this year we will be welcoming students from across the US, Canada, and Singapore. The more people who are properly trained to care for and rehabilitate bats, the more lives can be saved. If you would like to contribute to the construction of our Learning center and see it’s current progress, check out our classroom page.