Along a peaceful walking track in Brisbane, Australia, a cluster of towering fig trees twists out of the ground — their tangled roots and sprawling branches offering a safe haven to countless wild animals.
But one recent passerby noticed something that didn’t belong: a small, black blob wriggling weakly beneath the trees.
Curious and concerned, they stepped closer — and realized it wasn’t debris at all. It was a flying fox, a type of fruit bat, and she was clearly in trouble.
Unsure how to help, the Good Samaritan called Bat Conservation & Rescue QLD. It was exactly the right thing to do.
“Any bat alone in the daytime or on the ground needs help,” rescuer and trauma carer Rebecca Appleton told The Dodo. “It's not normal behavior.”
By the time Appleton arrived, the little bat — later named Angelica — had managed to claw her way partway up a fig tree, clinging to the trunk for safety. Appleton gently removed her and brought her home for a closer look.
A careful examination revealed a wound near Angelica’s jaw. Appleton rushed her to RSPCA QLD, where veterinarians cleaned and treated the injury.
With medical care, rest, and good nutrition, Angelica has made an incredible comeback. She’s now nearly healed and preparing for the moment she can soar back into the wild where she belongs.
Appleton is thrilled — not only for Angelica’s sake but for the vital role flying foxes play in Australia’s ecosystems.
“All bats play important ecological roles,” Appleton said. “Flying foxes are essential pollinators and seed dispersers — many of our iconic trees depend on them. Calling in a rescue if you see one alone during the day, even on powerlines, can literally save a life.”
You don’t need to be a wildlife expert to help bats: keep dogs indoors at night, call a wildlife hotline if you see a bat in trouble, and never touch a wild bat with your bare hands.
If more people stay vigilant, flying foxes like Angelica will continue to thrive — and keep Australia’s forests thriving too.
To help other bats like Angelica, you can donate to Bat Conservation & Rescue QLD.
