In a heartwarming tale of companionship, a diminutive orphaned bat has found the perfect individual to fill the role of a nurturing mother
The origin of this tiny baby bat’s separation from her mother, leaving her orphaned at just a few days old, remains unclear. However, one certainty stands out — she has found the ideal caretaker.
Dr. Karin Lourens manages the Johannesburg Wildlife Veterinary Hospital in South Africa, providing the much-needed sanctuary for the rescued baby bat. Despite the bat’s diminutive size, no larger than a finger, ensuring her well-being is no trivial undertaking. To meet the tiny bat’s nutritional requirements, Lourens assumes the role of a surrogate mother, undertaking feeding sessions every hour, day and night.
Lourens utilizes a makeup sponge soaked in milk to deliver the baby bat’s meals. As if the responsibility of caring for the infant bat weren’t already an expression of immense love and dedication, it quickly became apparent that she wouldn’t be the only patient of her kind. Shortly after the bat arrived at the hospital, Lourens welcomed two more rescued babies into her care, amplifying the challenge.
However, these three babies represent only a fraction of the annual influx. At this time each year, Lourens and her team attend to hundreds of orphaned baby bats discovered in the wild. They provide these bats with the continuous care they would have received from their mothers. Once these bats grow sufficiently robust after months of dedicated care, they are gradually reintroduced into the wild. It’s a meticulous process, one milk-filled makeup sponge at a time.
The effort invested in nurturing these tiny winged creatures is undeniably rewarding for Lourens. “I have done this a hundred times, and every time I am awestruck at how amazing they are,” remarked Lourens. “They’re tiny, perfect beings, and each one has a different personality.”
Every saved baby bat’s life becomes its reward for Lourens and her team. “I adore bats. They are so misunderstood and have such a bad rap, yet they are super important to the ecosystem,” she emphasized. “I am completely knackered from lack of sleep, but it is super rewarding to see them grow up.”
Source: Thedodo
