Tina Sheridan of Pampoolah is now smitten with flying foxes, after helping to save a baby flying fox from death.
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Tina's husband had noticed what he thought was a dead bat hanging from a power line on their property. Three days later it was still there, but he found out it was alive.
"The reason Mark noticed it was because it had come up really super gusty, and this little thing couldn't keep his wings closed together, so he was just getting battered about in the wind," Tina said.
"He looked like he was risking getting blown off but he was managing to hold on but in the meantime he was doing this little chirping sound because he was in a bit of distress."
Tina did the right thing and called local wildlife rescue organisation FAWNA, who despatched a local flying fox carer, Anke de Reuver, to the property.
"It was much too high for me and on a live wire. I rang Essential Energy and the lady said all she can do is log it in, but it's after hours and also isn't actually part of their duties," Anke said.
However, a willing Essential Energy employee, Graham, did turn up to attempt the rescue the pup.
"It was pretty precarious. He had this big long extension pole, kind of like an aerial, that he sent up. I was expecting like a ladder or something. So we fashioned a baby's cloth nappy over the end. I tried to get it bulky enough so it could catch onto it like it would its mother," Tina said.
Tina said the rescue took no time at all, and before she knew it she had the pup, a baby threatened grey-headed flying fox, safely in her possession.
Tina wore gloves for safety reasons, and caught the pup in a towel.
"As Graham lowered him, it was like this little bat actually actually let himself fall back into the towel that I was holding, almost like 'oh, thank goodness'," Tina said.
The little orphan is now safely in Anke's care.
"Houdini seemed an obvious name and he continues to thrive - slowly. He was obviously very dehydrated after three days in the baking sun, but is definitely a fighter," Anke said.
"I'd like to extend a huge thank you to the lovely young man for coming out when he wasn't required to and to the couple who were very concerned about him."
So you know who to call when you find a flying fox, or any other native animal, needing help, download the ' IFAW Wildlife Rescue' app for Apple or Android. The app connects you direclty with the relevant local wildlife rescue organisation no matter where you are in NSW.
If you find a flying fox needing help, do not approach or touch the bat for health reasons. Call FAWNA on 6581 4141 for advice.
Julia Driscoll
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
Julia Driscoll has worked as a journalist for the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Times for seven years. She values the deep connection with community that being a rural and regional journalist brings. Career highlights have involved environmental stories - bringing the plight of the little known endangered Manning River helmeted turtle to the attention of the public, resulting in wide-spread knowledge in the community and conservation action; and breaking the news of the Manning River ceasing to run for the first time in recorded history.
