Injured or orphaned bats will benefit from treatment in two humidicribs bought by WIRES. Photos: Deborah V.
Humidicribs are a common sight in a human ICU, but two of them have a new job helping coastal wildlife.
A grant program has allowed a group of South Coast wildlife rescuers to buy two of the units, which are an enclosed unit that maintains a stable temperature and are ideal for orphaned or injured flying foxes.
WIRES Mid-South Coast volunteer Shelley Clarke is already planning to use them during the bats’ upcoming migration.
The branch is one of 13 community-led projects to receive funding through an Essential Energy program.
“When they became available, I put in a proposal to get two intensive care units … [It’s] so we could be a bit more prepared for this season,” Ms Clarke told Region.
“We were shocked to learn that they really loved it.”
Each October the group is regularly called out for dropped babies or flying foxes that are caught in barbed wire.
Others have been electrocuted by power wires.
It’s an unfortunate occurrence as warmer weather brings the mammals flying south with their babies.
Ms Clarke says the specialised cribs are especially important for bats, which are sensitive to temperature and humidity changes.
“It gives us time back,” she said.
“With these humidity units, it means we can put a little probe in there that will monitor [the temperature].
“We walk past and go, ‘It’s at the right temperature, I can relax’ … It’s literally a game changer.”
Once the volunteer has collected the injured bat, the rehabilitation work begins.
The group works with local vets to ensure the animal is treated for any wounds.
It’s a process that the cribs will make substantially easier, with volunteers previously needing to maintain an area’s temperature.
“They can’t fall out and nothing can get them,” Ms Clarke says of the humidicribs.
“It provides them with a really safe environment and takes a lot of worry off the carer.”
These bats are in a “mama roll” as part of their recovery. Photos: Deborah V.
Bats can stay in a volunteer’s care for anywhere from a few days to several months (depending on their injuries).
“They’re called sky puppies for a reason – they’re very similar to puppy dogs,” she says.
“They bond very quickly and learn to trust you.”
But once they hit the 12-week mark, the animals are carefully transported to the Shoalhaven Bat Clinic for further care.
Ms Clarke says carers have “your downs and your ups and your in-betweens” while nursing wildlife back to health.
“It’s the balance we’re faced with – having infrastructure for people, however, that has an impact on wildlife.”
And with last year coming in a “bumper” season (especially for the Shoalhaven region), she’s already keeping an eye out for any bats nearby.
“In preparation for the season to come, we’ve got training coming up … so that we can try to attract as many new carers that will be able to support us for the season.”
WIRES Far South East branch can be contacted on 1300 094 737 and Wildlife Rescue South Coast Inc on 0418 427 214.
