(Central News Agency reporter Li Xianfeng, Hualien County, 24th) People in Hualien found a Taiwanese flying fox cub in the urban area. The Hualien Branch of the Forestry Protection Bureau immediately launched rescue procedures after receiving the report. There was no relevant experience in the past, and this is the first case in China. It is of great significance to the conservation of flying foxes in Taiwan and helps to plan and improve the care process in the future.
The Hualien Branch of the Forestry and Conservation Department stated today that it received a report from volunteer Zhong Xiuci on the morning of the 21st that a member of the public found a Formosan flying fox cub in the urban area of Hualien. Because it is a rare and endangered species of wild animal, the Immediately initiate rescue procedures and send the animal to the “Endangered Wildlife Emergency Room” for temporary care and care by professional veterinarians.
Since this is the first rescue of a 2-week-old flying fox baby in Taiwan, and there is no relevant care experience in China, domestic and Japanese flying fox experts were extensively consulted to establish a care process and try to return the young bats to the place where they were originally found. I hope the female bat will take it back.
However, after trying for two nights to no avail, after evaluation, the Hualien Branch handed over the young bat to the Eastern Wildlife Rescue Center (Yewan Wildlife Conservation Association) on the 23rd. The veterinarian will evaluate the adult bat based on its growth status. Whether it is suitable for release into the wild.
The Hualien Branch of the Forestry Protection Bureau pointed out that the Taiwanese flying fox is an endangered species of protected wild animal in Taiwan, and breeding individuals have only been confirmed in the Greater Hualien area on the island, which is very difficult; the people who picked up the young bats are volunteers from the Hualien Branch of the Wilderness Conservation Association. Friends, after the flying fox larvae was discovered on the evening of the 20th, due to the large number of dogs and cats wandering around the scene, in order to prevent the young bats from being attacked, they did not leave them where they were. The next morning, they handed them over to monitoring volunteer leader Zhong Xiuci (currently the National Forestry Branch of the Hualien Branch). Volunteer Captain) immediately reported emergency measures, which also shows that Hualien people are well aware of the importance of Taiwanese flying fox conservation.
The Hualien Branch of the Forestry Protection Bureau stated that this was the first time that a Formosan flying fox larvae was found in China. It was a small male bat, estimated to be about 2 weeks old and not yet weaned. Because there was no relevant care experience in the past, before the female bat was picked up, In order to maintain the physical strength of young bats, we consulted experts such as National Taipei University Professor Chen Xiangfan, Yewan Veterinarian Jiang Yilun, Taiwan Bat Society Chairman Chen Hongchang, Directors Lin Zujun, Dr. Lin Qinglong, and Biodiversity Research Institute Chief Secretary Zheng Xiqi for bat larval photos. Regarding the breeding methods, the expert group also consulted Japanese experts for their experience in caring for flying fox bats and collected literature, thus establishing a process for caring for young bats. The Hualien Branch will take care of the young bats first and monitor their weight and health status.
After the veterinarian determined the health status of the larvae, the environment around the collection point, and the possibility of the mother bat returning to look for the individual, the Hualien Branch decided to implement the plan of returning the cubs to the mother bat and return the cubs to the original place where they were found, hoping that the mother bat would come back. Pick it up.
After two days of trial execution, different Formosan flying fox adults were found around the site, and they were constantly flying around the young bats, but never came into contact with the young bats. Considering the physical strength and health of the young bats and the fact that the mother bat did not appear, we decided to In order to ensure that the young bats were properly cared for, the Hualien Branch sent them to Yewan Animal Hospital on the 23rd, where a professional team took over the care and maintenance, and conducted more precise morphological measurements and physical fitness assessments.
The Hualien Branch of the Forestry Protection Bureau stated that the branch and volunteer partners dispatched a total of 27 people to carry out care and release work. This is the first case in China and is of great significance to the conservation of flying foxes in Taiwan. Through this experience, we can establish proper care process to improve the system for Taiwan’s future flying fox conservation and rescue planning; we also appeal to the public that if they find young bats or injured individuals, they should report it to the county and city government (1999 hotline) as soon as possible, or call 0800-057930. Do not bring them with you. Take care of yourself in private to avoid breaking the law. (Editor: Chen Renhua) 1130424
