Build SA's 1st Free-Tailed Bat Flight Cage

The Free-tailed bat flight cage is almost finished. The building work has been completed and all that remains is a few 'cosmetics' that need to be installed and it will be ready to welcome its first bats!! All that remains to be done, is the installation of the roosts (internal bat houses for the bats to rest during the day) and a sandy floor to cushion the landing of any bats that become grounded whilst they practice flying. This is extremely important as Free-tailed bats can reach flight speeds of up to 140km/hr, crash landing at that speed into rocky ground would surely put them back in the clinic, so a soft sandy floor will help to soften the landing and prevent injury. In addition, tremnet 'windows' will be added to allow insects entry into the flight cage, this will give an opportunity for the bats to practice their on the wing hunting skills, whilst still in the safety of the flight cage, protected from predators. We are so excited to be a part of this project, it seriously is a game changer for the clinic's free-tailed bats as well as all free-tailed bats across the country.

Patient Story:

It was early winter, and Mike was only just learning to fly and hunt for himself. He was still dependant on mum for milk, but that option was coming to an end. The late season Angolan free-tailed bat pups often face going independent as winter arrives and insect numbers plummet, the pups born earlier in the season have it far easier. Like it wasn’t tough enough for Mike, he had also picked up a tummy bug and had a very serious case of diarrhoea. Just when it seemed things couldn’t get any more difficult, Mike ended up on the ground. Most bats are unable to get airborne from the ground, they need to take off from height to get flying. Mike was now stuck on the ground. Fortunately for Mike he had grounded on the floor of a hardware store and was found by a caring person.

Mike arrived at ReWild little more than a bag of bones. Emergency fluid therapy got Mike a bit more stable and ready for a drink of milk formula. Antibiotics were needed to resolve Mike’s tummy bug before he could really start feeling better and recovering. Mike has been spending the winter at ReWild regaining his normal body weight and then some, building up a buffer against possible lean times in the future. He is also, one of the many free-tailed bats waiting for the flight cage to be completed so he can begin his flight preparation in order to be released.

Links:

• ReWild Rehabilitation Centre