Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/teenager-baby-bat/

When you see an animal in need of help, you should at least reach out for a helping hand or call for professional assistance. It’s a great way to give back to the planet — to maintain the population of species that balances the environment. If it’s a baby animal, you have enough reason to help. They deserve to live and be with their families again. Rescuing them is important, especially when survival is still possible despite their condition. It would be saddening and just cruel to leave them suffering when you could’ve saved them from their situation. If you can’t afford to nurture them back to health, you can contact nearby rescue centers or vet hospitals. You can be the bridge to their second chance in life.

A teenager named Pierrick helped a baby bat through that method. When he found the bat lying on the ground near their house, he immediately called the emergency contact number of Panse-Bêtes. The vets accommodated him and ensured that the bat would be nurtured back to health. According to the medical examination, the bat suffered from heat stroke. Nocturnal animals are sensitive to temperature changes — they thrive in places that aren’t too cold or too hot. They named him Barnabé, and he was only a few days old. Marie-Laure, the vet from Panse-Bêtes, took care of him and supervised his progress.

“We feed him every three hours using tiny syringes. It’s always so gratifying when they eat well,” Marie-Laure shared. “After feeding him, we’ll give him some cuddles, so he can relax and digest, and so we can bring him that warmth he would typically get from his mom.” Barnabé responded so well during his stay in the hospital — he was indeed given the best vet care, physically and emotionally. The baby bat even purrs whenever he is cuddled, and it’s one of the most adorable things you’ll ever see. Barnabé looked better after seventeen days — becoming friendlier and more playful with those in the hospital.

Marie-Laure also introduced him to the other bats under their care. Barnabé needs to be familiar with his own species and avoid loneliness. “Barnabé was grouped with four other bats so they could motivate each other through their rehabilitation process. They got closer together and learned to hang from their feet. They formed with that same bond that they would have in the wild,” Marie-Laure explained. Aside from socialization, Barnabé finally was able to stretch his wings, which indicates that he is preparing to fly one day. After various attempts, Barnabé finally took his first flight after a month of getting rescued from heat stroke.

Flight tests were conducted to ensure that he does well and is a hundred percent safe to return to the wild. They tried it indoors, and Barnabé definitely showed off his skills. That’s when Marie-Laure knew that the young bat was ready to fly home. To make his release more meaningful and momentous, the vets invited Pierrick. Aside from releasing him back home, it’s also a chance to say their last farewells. “I’m very happy to get to release this bat tonight. It’s a big success,” Pierrick said. “He put on weight. We can see that his hair has grown. He’s changed colors. We can see he’s in better shape than when I brought him,” he added.

Marie-Laure gave the two a bit of a moment, and she also taught Pierrick how to feed Barnabé. They bonded before they went outdoors to release the young bat finally. Barnabé was guided by the humans who gave him another chance in life. They provided him with nothing but the best. Having Pierrick release him was so symbolic and touching. Moreover, through Marie-Laure’s guidance, Barnabé survived and is now back home. Rescuing animals is indeed worth the effort and immensely rewarding. It’s an indescribable happiness, which you’ll feel as you witness Barnabé’s journey in the video below.

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Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog