IreneIsaacsonPhotography

Jeannie Campbell has been a bat carer for many years. But her dream was to build an aviary large enough for her rescued flying foxes to fly in. A flight bat aviary allows them to build up their flight muscles after days, weeks, or even months in care. This is essential before they can ever be released into the wild. It is all a very important part of their rehabilitation. Well, one day in January 2021, her dreams came true and a 8 x 3 x 3m aviary was finally constructed in her backyard. And we were able to help her with the finishing touches. So this is a tour of the aviary shortly after it was finished. Jeannie had just moved some of her adult bats into it, including the mums and baby flying foxes she had kept in the smaller aviary next door to this one (see previous videos). And it certainly looks like the bats are making themselves at home! MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Flying foxes play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants. They are crucial in keeping our native forests healthy. And because flying foxes are highly mobile, seeds can be moved locally and over great distances. Thus they are vital as our forest pollinators too. Flying foxes are also the largest flying Australian mammal. And the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Throughout history, humans have always wanted to fly but the flying foxes beat us to it. Now THAT deserves our admiration! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 FUNDRAISING DONATIONS: Should you like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Even just $1 can make a big difference! And if you are a resident of Southeast Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFotoTravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #ireneisaacsonphotography

Whilst helping to finish off building Jeannie's new 8 x 3 x 3m bat aviary she had some very inquisitive flying fox mums with their babies still hanging with them in a small aviary next door. We were making a little bit of noise so I couldn't help myself but keep checking on them. Well, to my surprise, they were checking us out too! Whilst initially shy, they became quite accustomed to our chatter and noisy tools. In fact, they seemed very curious about what we were doing, and were often peeking out from behind hanging blankets to see what was going on. Sometimes it was hard telling if it was one bat or two? So I often had to count the number of feet that they were hanging from! What a privilege and a gift to be able to see these amazing creatures of the night, so up close and personal. And to be able to watch mums with their babies...wow. Now that's a rare treat! MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Flying foxes play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants. They are crucial in keeping our native forests healthy. And because flying foxes are highly mobile, seeds can be moved locally and over great distances. Thus they are vital as our forest pollinators too. Flying foxes are also the largest flying Australian mammal. And the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Throughout history, humans have always wanted to fly but the flying foxes beat us to it. Now THAT deserves our admiration! FUNDRAISING DONATIONS: Should you like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Even just $1 can make a big difference! And if you are a resident of Southeast Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFotoTravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #ireneisaacsonphotography #flyingfoxwithbaby #cutebabybat

We were helping to build a large flight bat aviary at Jeannie's place. Right next door in a smaller aviary, she had a maternity creche for bats. There were 7 rescued flying foxes including two mums with their babies. This is such a rare event to witness, I couldn't help myself taking more than an occasional peek through the mesh. Apologies for some slightly out-of-focus footage, but I had to video them through the aviary snake-proof mesh so as not to stress the mums. But boy, what a gorgeous moment to be able to see a black and a grey-headed flying fox momma, each with their bubs (or pups as they are called), just chilling out, hanging together. At times both mum and bub were rather curious about what we were doing! They watched us, as we watched them. SOOOO CUTE! FUNDRAISING DONATIONS: Should you like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Even just $1 can make a big difference! And if you are a resident of Southeast Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Flying foxes play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants. They are crucial in keeping our native forests healthy. And because flying foxes are highly mobile, seeds can be moved locally and over great distances. Thus they are vital as our forest pollinators too. Flying foxes are also the largest flying Australian mammal. And the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Throughout history, humans have always wanted to fly but the flying foxes beat us to it. Now THAT deserves our admiration! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFotoTravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #ireneisaacsonphotography #cutebabybats #bataviary

Rescued flying foxes often come into care due to injury. But when this happens during mating season, occasionally an injured adult female bat may still have her young baby attached to her. If this is the case, both are brought into care, until one or hopefully both can be released back into the wild once their injuries are fully recovered. Hence the need for a bat aviary maternity creche! But it takes an experienced flying fox carer like Jeannie to be able to lovingly care for both mum and 'bubba'. A quiet healing environment to limit any stress is an essential requisite for both to prosper in care. You will notice that the aviary is divided into smaller compartments by sacking. Wild bats are very shy creatures and prefer to be hidden from view, often in their own little corners. Mums with babies may wish to stay a little separate from other bats in a confined area. So these separate areas are very well appreciated by many bats! As you also see in the video, Jeannie's moms and bubs are very spoiled with loving care. Feed time consists of not only fruit but smoothies too. And on top of that native foliage is also provided which they actually prefer over cultivated fruit. They are very chilled in her presence and totally trust her. They even allow her to touch their babies while still attached to the nipple under their wings. Amazing! MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Flying foxes play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants. They are crucial in keeping our native forests healthy. And because flying foxes are highly mobile, seeds can be moved locally and over great distances. Thus they are vital as our forest pollinators too. Flying foxes are also the largest flying Australian mammal. And the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Throughout history, humans have always wanted to fly but the flying foxes beat us to it. Now THAT deserves our admiration! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 FUNDRAISING DONATIONS: Should you like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Even just $1 can make a big difference! And if you are a resident of Southeast Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 PS. All the people in this video are fully vaccinated against ABLV. Bats can carry this rare rabies-like virus, which can kill. So don't ever try to handle a flying fox in the wild. If you see a bat in distress, call your local wildlife rescue organization. Remember "No Touch, No Danger". ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFotoTravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #ireneisaacsonphotography #bataviary #babybats

Baby bats LOVE being handled, cuddled, groomed, and brushed. In the wild, their mum does this all the time to them. So when they come into care, their human bat-momma must take over that role. So, once they are older than a few weeks, after a special bat milk formula feed, they benefit if taken outside into the warm sun for a short while. This helps build up their Vitamin D and calcium levels. And it is a perfect opportunity to stroke and massage your baby bat. And after that...yes. Here comes a nice gentle brush and groom. And boy, does Clarence love that? You bet he does! MORE ABOUT JEANNIE Jeannie has been a long-time wildlife carer who now specializes in flying foxes. She cares for both adults and baby bats rescued in southeast Queensland. She has worked as a volunteer at Australia Zoo, hence the shirt she is wearing in this video. Whilst not with the Zoo anymore, her bats love that shirt. It's quite resilient when they try to hang on to Jeannie's chest, mimicking what they would do with their own mum. So, whilst this was not meant to be an official advert for Australia Zoo, their ex-volunteer shirts are certainly rated - especially by baby bats, that is! FUNDRAISING DONATIONS: Should you like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Even just $1 can make a big difference! And if you are a resident of Southeast Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Flying foxes play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants. They are crucial in keeping our native forests healthy. And because flying foxes are highly mobile, seeds can be moved locally and over great distances. Thus they are vital as our forest pollinators too. Flying foxes are also the largest flying Australian mammal. And the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Throughout history, humans have always wanted to fly but the flying foxes beat us to it. Now THAT deserves our admiration! PS. All the people in this video are fully vaccinated against ABLV. Bats can carry this rare rabies-like virus, which can kill. So don't ever try to handle a flying fox in the wild. If you see a bat in distress, call your local wildlife rescue organization. Remember "No Touch, No Danger". For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFotoTravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #ireneisaacsonphotography #cutebabybat #rescuedbabybat

Rescued baby bats take a lot of looking after. They need special milk formula until they are weaned onto soft fruit around 7 weeks of age. A little guy like Nicholas needs 3-4 hourly bottle milk feeds around the clock. And he also requires a humidicrib to regulate his body temperature, as he has no fur for insulation until he is at least 3-4 weeks old. So a Christmas gift of this awfully cute baby bat actually means a lot of work for Jeannie. And sleepless nights Just like having a human baby. Aaargh! MORE ABOUT BABY BATS Orphaned baby bats or fruitbats come into care in the 'baby season' when their mothers are killed or frightened away from the colony by deterrent methods in the breeding season. They require intensive care and feeding for 4-5 months at least before they are finally able to be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. FUNDRAISING DONATIONS: Should you like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Even just $1 can make a big difference! And if you are a resident of Southeast Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 PS. All the people in this video are fully vaccinated against ABLV. Bats can carry this rare rabies-like virus, which can kill. So don't ever try to handle a flying fox in the wild. If you see a bat in distress, call your local wildlife rescue organization. Remember "No Touch, No Danger". ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFotoTravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #ireneisaacsonphotography #cutebabybat #feedingababybat

Aurora was one of this season's rescued baby bats. Found on the ground, her mother or colony couldn't be found so she came into care. Her diet for weeks had been special milk feeds, then migrating onto 'mealworm slurry'. And finally, THE day arrives. Her first solid food ever. A big fat, juicy, live mealworm. YUCK! Watch as she tucks in with great gusto - even managing to down three of them in her first feed, even though one is more than a quarter her body length. Wow - that's impressive! Matt and Nicky Campbell are two experienced microbat carers on the southeast coast of Queensland. They are one of the few wildlife carers who handle rescued baby microbats, some of which weigh only 0.5 - 2 gms. FUN FACTS ABOUT MICROBATS Microbats are the main night-time predator of insects. There are over 1000 species in the world and over 70 in Australia alone. They play a crucial ecological role in regulating insect numbers in the areas they live. Many insects consumed are pests such as mosquitoes, flies, and moths whose larva damage plants and crops. But a single tiny microbat can consume almost half its body weight in insects in one night! Now that's a very impressive form of pest control and one that doesn't include nasty chemicals. Whilst Australian microbats are insectivorous, others pollinate plants, most importantly agave, the base ingredient of tequila. That fact alone makes it an important animal to protect and conserve! ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFotoTravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #ireneisaacsonphotography #babymicrobat #batrescue

Coco was a pure and natural terrorist. A large bird, a Papuan or Blyth's hornbill, raised from a chick by staff at Tufi Dive Resort. He treated the resort as his home. And God help you if he didn't like you in his home. He frequently 'terrorized' guests if they sat in the wrong lounge or bar seat according to Coco's rules. As well as staff trying to clean the floors in the mornings. A bird with real attitude. But a lovable one at that. He particularly hung out in the bar. Often helping make cocktails or sampling the banana-based cocktails to make sure they tasted just right... [PS. Apologies for the quality of the video but it was taken with an iPhone 4 at 720 fps in 2014! But it is such a classic video I thought it was still worth sharing with you). For more on Coco (or Koko), check out this funny short blog: https://ireneisaacsonphotography.com/2019/07/koko-hornbill-tufi-dive-resort-png/ MORE ABOUT PAPUAN HORNBILLS Blyth's hornbill, also known as the Papuan hornbill, is a large hornbill inhabiting the forest canopy in Wallacea and Melanesia. The Papuan Hornbill occurs throughout lowland forests, from sea level to 1500 m above mean sea level, in the Moluccas, New Guinea, the Bismarck Archipelago, and as far east as the Solomon Islands. It is the only hornbill species native to New Guinea, and one of the largest flying birds of the region, up to 91cm in length. The sound of its wings is loud and distinctive as it flies. The Papuan Hornbill also has a range of far-reaching guttural grunting and laughing calls. Its diet consists mainly of fruits especially figs, which are occasionally supplemented with insects and other small animals. Still widespread throughout its large habitat range, the Papuan Hornbill is evaluated as of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. However, it is still subject to hunting by some remote tribes, with its feathers used in headdresses, its bill valued as a personal adornment, and the lower mandible used as a spear point. As a consequence, it is becoming rarer in some areas of New Guinea. ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFototravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography 00:00 Intro to Coco (Koko) 00:09 Coco wants a hat 00:38 Nips Irene! 00:44 Coco gets his beak stroked 01:00 Nips Irene AGAIN! 01:10 Controls the bar 01.15 Coco plays chess 01:19 Supervising cocktail making 01:28 Bar Security Guard #bighornbillbird #tufidiveresortpng #ireneisaacsonphotography

The most horrific injuries often seen are those of bats or flying foxes caught on barb wire. Many are so severe they need euthanasia. But a few do manage to survive after intensive care and rehabilitation. Sometimes over months. So after long-term rehabilitation, they need to be flight tested to make sure their flight muscles are still good and strong enough for them to be released back into the wild. Archie was one of those fortunate bats. He made an amazing recovery so it was marvelous to see him take his first proper flight in a large flight aviary prior to his release. And it is truly a magnificent thing to see a full-grown flying fox fly. Those membraneous wings are extra special when seen spread out in full flight. AUSTRALIAN FLYING-FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying foxes have (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!) they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the closest mammal in Australia genetically to humans - go figure! FUNDRAISING DONATIONS: Should you like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Even just $1 can make a big difference! And if you are a resident of Southeast Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ All donations over $2 are fully tax-deductible. For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats": https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 NOTE: All the people you see in this video are trained on how to handle flying foxes. On rare occasions, bats may carry the deadly ABLV virus (similar to rabies), so they are also fully vaccinated. If you see a bat in distress, call your local wildlife group immediately. And don’t forget injured or frightened bats, even babies, may bite or scratch. Remember: "No Touch, No Danger". ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography 00:00 Introduction 00:06 Meet Archie and his history 00:22 Archie explores his surroundings on a flight trapeze 00:47 Archie checks out his flight plan 00:59 Successful flight - in slow motion #flyingfoxes #batflighttest #ireneisaacsonphotography

What might you think pool noodles have to do with caring for bats or flying foxes? Well rescuing and caring for orphaned or injured bats is quite seasonal. The busiest time of the year is after mating when the babies are born. Due to many causes, baby bats come into care between late September to February/March in Southeast Queensland. Part of that rehabilitation process of these babies is for them to go to a 'creche aviary' once they are old and big enough. These are large enough for them to practice their flight and build up their muscles for when they are soon to be released. And part of the adornment of such aviaries is...pool noodles. Covered in soft materials and hung from the ceiling of such aviaries, these provide something for the bats to climb up or along. Especially if they have gone to the floor for fallen food, or just had a 'poorly conceived' maiden flight, perhaps. So at the beginning of the creche period, the pool noodles are all checked. And if in poor condition, the covers are replaced. But, it is the process of covering these new noodles, with their rather tight sleeves, that is often a source of great amusement to the carers involved. And you can see they don't get out much...!!! PS. The people in this video preferred not to be named...But you know who you are. Lol! MORE ABOUT FLYING FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying foxes have (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!) they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the largest flying Australian mammal and the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Maybe we were meant to fly but flying foxes beat us to it! If you would like to help with their care, then make a difference and consider donating to your local wildlife group. Or, if you are a resident of South East Queensland, then you could use the link: https://batrescue.org.au/donate/ For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #poolnoodles #batrescueinc #ireneisaacsonphotography

I was lucky enough to visit the La Vanille Nature Park in Mauritius. A bonus was their amazing exhibit of Mascarene flying foxes or fruit bats. What a personal surprise! I was enchanted with watching them hang, feed, squabble...They were so curious as they ate fruit from a flat elevated platform in a rather flat-bellied approach. But they also crawled on the ground to forage for food as well. Not something that we see very often in our Australian flying foxes. These bats are now endangered or critically endangered, as are so many other species around the world. And all those in the park were bred in captivity within the zoo. MORE ABOUT MASCARENE FRUIT BATS Mauritian bats (Pteropus niger or Greater Mascarene flying fox) are found nowhere else in the world. Endemic to Mauritius, there are less than 80,000 alive today. Those numbers are in decline due to continued culling, especially in the last 5 years. Less than 4% of the forests are left removing their natural food source. And farmers blame bats for their crop damage, despite it mainly being due to birds. Rodrigues bats (Pteropus rodricensis) are critically endangered due to their restricted range. There are less than 20,000 left in the world. These Mascarene island fruit bats are particularly vulnerable as their reproductive rates are low. Females give birth to just one pup per year, which makes it difficult for populations to recover losses. Six of the past eight bat extinctions, including the Guam flying fox and lesser Mascarene flying fox, were similar species that succumbed to habitat loss and intense hunting and culling. Historical practices such as harvesting for bat oil didn't help either. For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #mauritianfruitbat #rodriguezbat #ireneisaacsonphotography

Nosey Parker Sylvia Figbird always comes around when you least want it to. Watch as curiosity gets the better of it and it just HAS to check out the fruit delivery. Today's is manly vegetables. But that doesn't matter to a figbird. Sylvia will have a go at anything. Even when it's not on offer! Even zucchini and radish. Amazing! SYLVIA'S BACKGROUND There is a lot to do when it comes to running an aviary full of bats or flying foxes. Cleaning aviaries, filling water bottles, and chopping fruit are but a few. But like most wildlife carers, Mandi doesn't just look after bats. Her home is frequently offered to other rescued wildlife. Mandi offered to take Sylvia Figbird on from its previous carer thinking this juvenile bird could free-range and eventually self-release back into the wild. But Sylvia (could it be a boy?) was very attached to human company. And he/she/it was into EVERYTHING! So, wherever you turn, there is Sylvia. Flying into a room that is only opened for a split second. Sitting in the fruit bowls. Diving into water bowls. You name it, it's all fair game for Sylvia. MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licensed bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of my fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Their "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! If you would like to help go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Say your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. [PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi]. THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is an active volunteer and member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Knowledge removes fear and we only preserve what we know and understand. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…and that person could be you!” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below for more information about the software. I find it invaluable as an additional creative tool, and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography PS. All bat carers and handlers are fully vaccinated against ABLV, a rabies-like virus. So please do not handle a bat if you see one in distress. Call your local wildlife rescue organization and they will send someone out to rescue it. #behindthescenesworkingwithbats #ireneisaacsonphotography

Watch as these funny flying foxes get so excited over when brought blossom for their aviary. They end up clamoring for it, climbing over each other to get at it, and even throwing the odd punch or 'thumbing' another for it! This video features some of Mandi's hilarious 'bats in residence' in her aviary on the Sunshine Coast. FLYING FOX FOOD: Most people think bats or flying foxes only eat our backyard fruit or fruit in our commercial orchards. But they don't. In fact, their natural food is pollen and nectar from over 100 species of native trees and vines. They can eat the flowers and sometimes leaves of eucalypt, lily pilly, paperbark, and turpentine trees. When native foods are scarce, particularly during drought, the bats may supplement this diet by eating fruit from introduced plants found in gardens, orchards, parks, and streetscaping. MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licensed bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats living out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of my fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Their "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! If you would like to help go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Say your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. [PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi]. THANK YOU! ;-) ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #funnybatseatingblossom #mandisbats #ireneisaacsonphotography

Bats or flying foxes in care after rescue need different types of accommodation the older they get. Baby bats are like human babies. They need a nursery with specialized equipment for small bats. This can be a simple airer covered in soft material to create a hammock in which they sleep. Put them in a cozy wrap or 'momma roll' mimics the action of a bat mom's wings. As they get more adventurous, they learn how to hang and crawl around the airer. When older, they need an aviary to exercise their flight muscles and to practice how to fly. These aviaries are often adorned in all sorts of enrichment too, such as branches, ropes, hanging pool noodles, blankets, etc. Some blankets can be made into small compartments, where they can hide from other bats if they want to. This bedroom is made out of soft fluffy material with hanging toys and small blankets to divide up the space. In this batty bedroom are bats of all sizes and ages, black as well as grey-headed flying foxes. And these bats love it! And of course, it is made out of purple material, Mandi's favorite color! MORE ABOUT NDI Mandi has been a licensed bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support or grant monies. FUNDRAISG FOR NDI'S BATS This video is part of a fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries, their home. The Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. If you would like to help, go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Tell her your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. This is very important as PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi. Tolga Bat Hospital's "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT AUSALIAN FLYG FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying foxes have had (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!), they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the largest flying Australian mammal and the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Maybe we were meant to fly but flying foxes beat us to it! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE IACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is also a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators, if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating YouTube content, then click below for more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #mandisbats #flyingfoxes #ireneisaacson

Most creche babies and adult flying foxes in care are fed fruit as it is easily accessible in quantity. But when blossom or 'browse' can be provided, they LOVE it! Check out the reaction of some of these flying foxes in Mandi's aviary when I brought them some ivory curl blossom flower (Buckinghamia celsissima - a popular native sub-tropical street tree). FLYING FOX FOOD Most people think bats or flying foxes only eat our backyard fruit or fruit in our commercial orchards. But they don't. In fact, their natural food is pollen and nectar from over 100 species of native trees and vines. They can eat the flowers and sometimes leaves of eucalypt, lily pilly, paperbark, and turpentine trees. When native foods are scarce, particularly during drought, the bats may supplement this diet by eating fruit from introduced plants found in gardens, parks, streetscaping, and orchards. MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licensed bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support or grant monies. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of a fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Their "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! If you would like to help go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Say your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. [PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi]. THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Flying foxes play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants. They are crucial in keeping our native forests healthy. And because flying foxes are highly mobile, seeds can be moved locally and over great distances. Thus they are vital as our forest pollinators too. Flying foxes are also the largest flying Australian mammal. And the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Throughout history, humans have always wanted to fly, but the flying foxes beat us to it. Now THAT deserves our admiration! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (ex-iFototravel) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene is a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #funnybatseatingblossom #mandisbats #ireneisaacsonphotography

Although I have been interested in bats or flying foxes for a few years now, I have never actually fed a baby bat. I am not generally into babies, the human kind, that is. But these babies are cute as! And Mandi knew this. So one day whilst helping Mandi in her bat aviary, she asked if I could help feed one of her little charges. The next thing I knew, I had this little bundle of red fluffy 'momma roll' in my hands, all wrapped around a small baby grey-headed flying fox. About 5-6 weeks old. Well, meet Cotton Top. What a cutie! And she took to her bottle with no problems. Not a scream to be heard (not like when I hold human babies!). The only thing I had not realized was that I still had blood on one of my hands. Mandi thought it might scare viewers into thinking that I had been bitten or something. But no, I had just finished cutting kilos of fresh fruit to feed all her bats that evening. And her partner Robert had sharpened the knives without my knowing. Very well in fact, so I had accidentally cut a few fingers earlier that day! PS. I went online after and bought some cut-resistant woven gloves. A wonderful invention! Haven't had a cut since - phew! MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licensed bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support or grant monies. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of a fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. The Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Tell her your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. This is very important as PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi. Tolga Bat Hospital's "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying foxes have had (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!), they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the largest flying Australian mammal and the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Maybe we were meant to fly but flying foxes beat us to it! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – click below to find out more information about the TubeBuddy software for creating videos. I find it invaluable, I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #mandisbats #babybatfeeding #ireneisaacson

Florentine is a black flying fox, and her longtime carer is Mandi. She was rescued many years ago and has since become a wonderful ambassador for her kind and educational bat. Florentine helps to increase public awareness for these gorgeous creatures of the night. Watch as this awesome flying fox tucks into one of her favorite snacks, soft over-ripe juicy plums (although this would not be her natural diet in the wild). Black flying foxes mostly eat pollen and nectar from native eucalyptus, lilypillies, paperbark, and turpentine trees. They have also been known to eat the leaves and sometimes stems of certain plants. However, when native food is scarce, or bats are brought into care for whatever reason, flying foxes may eat commercial fruits, such as apples, pears, bananas, and mangoes as well as other stone fruit. MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licenced bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support or grant monies. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of a fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. The Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Tell her your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. This is very important as PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi. Tolga Bat Hospital's "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying foxes have had (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!), they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the largest flying Australian mammal and the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Maybe we were meant to fly, but the bats beat us to it! For more videos like this, go to: "Discover Bats" playlist at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For Irene's Travel Articles: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #mandisbats #batseatingfruit #ireneisaacson

Meet a very pampered little cute baby bat called Pigeon. His bat step-momma, Mandi, has just bathed him and given him a whole-body massage to dry him off (see previous video: https://youtu.be/TG2_UHcGZ4o ) So now it's time for a little bit more grooming. Ingeniously using a soft wire brush to comb his fur and fluff him up a little. And boy, does he look like he is loving that? Ah well, just another day at Mandi's Day Spa (I've re-named her home...)! PS. Oh, and check out what happens when he loses his dummy (video timeline 00.50 and 02.53). That cry is the classic sound a baby makes when it has lost its mum and has detached from its nipple. Babies cling onto mum whilst still sucking on their nipples so if they drop their teat it is like losing their mum and they panic. So if you ever hear that when out walking somewhere, look around for a baby bat in distress. MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licensed bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support or grant monies. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of a fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. The Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Tell her your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. This is very important as PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi. Tolga Bat Hospital's "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying foxes have had (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!), they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the largest flying Australian mammal and the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Maybe we were meant to fly but flying foxes beat us to it! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFotoTravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography 00:00 Introduction 00:04 Brushing and grooming Pigeon 00:50 Pigeon loses his dummy and panics! 02.23 Pigeon loses his dummy again! 02.47 Teaching a baby bat how to hang #mandisbats #cutebabybat #ireneisaacson

Meet Pigeon, a recently rescued baby bat, a black flying fox, now in care who is about ten or eleven weeks old. He has found on the ground with a broken arm (radius bone) and has now almost completely recovered after having a splint put on. Mandi, his step-mom, had to give him a bath and I managed to film him in his post-bath splendor, getting dried and massaged. What a lucky boy - such pampering! I think Mandi needs to re-name her home as Mandi's Day Spa...What do you think?!!! MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licensed bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats, and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organization, she does not receive any form of government financial support or grant monies. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of a fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. The Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Tell her your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. This is very important as PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi. Tolga Bat Hospital's "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying foxes have had (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!), they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the largest flying Australian mammal and the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Maybe we were meant to fly, but flying foxes beat us to it! For more videos like this, check out our playlist: "Discover Bats" at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson For YouTube Creators – if you are not using TubeBuddy when creating your YouTube content, then click below to find out more information about the software. I find it invaluable and I think you will too: https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #mandisbats #babybatmassage #ireneisaacson

Did you know that bats or flying foxes actually love to eat mulberry leaves? Yes, the leaves, not just the fruit. Some people say they only eat the leaves when really hungry and desperate, but these bats are very well fed by their wonderful bat mom, Mandi. And she has noticed for years that they actually love eating the leaves of the mulberry tree. So when you see your mulberry tree being 'attacked' by something at night and its the leaves are being eaten more than the fruit, think...ah ha, flying foxes! Watch how they use their thumbs to pull and grab the leaves AS WELL AS the camera, especially Poppy, the budding selfie Queen. She's so adorable! FUN FACTS ABOUT MULBERRY Mulberry (Morus spp), the traditional food for silk worms, has been selected and improved for leaf yield and quality in many environments and is now available throughout the world. Apparently mulberry leaves are highly palatable and digestible (70-90%) to many herbivorous animals, bats or flying foxes included. They have quite a high protein content, both in the leaves and young stems, between 15-28%. In terms of digestible nutrients, mulberry produces more than most traditional forages. The leaves can be used as supplements, replacing concentrates for dairy cattle and as the main feed for goats and sheep. Ref. Manuel D. Sánchez; Animal Production and Health Division; FAO, Rome. MORE ABOUT MANDI Mandi has been a licenced bat carer for nearly 30 years. She lives in Southeast Queensland and cares for bats from her personal funds and any donations she may receive. She looks after baby bats, orphaned bats, injured bats and even geriatric bats who are allowed to live out their days in the blissful batty comfort of her loving care. Being an individual carer and not a member of a Not-For-Profit wildlife organisation, she does not receive any form of government financial support or grant monies. FUNDRAISING FOR MANDI'S BATS This video is part of a fundraising initiative to help Mandi feed her bats and improve her aviaries. The Tolga Bat Hospital in Far North Queensland is supportive of Mandi and is happy to take donations for her bats. Go to: https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/ OR: If you have access to a PayPal account, then click this link to go directly to Tolga Bat Hospital's PayPal donations: https://www.paypal.com/au/fundraiser/charity/3693956 IMPORTANT: Once you have donated, PLEASE EMAIL JENNY AT: jenny@tolgabathospital.org Tell her your donation is "For Mandi's Bats” and include the amount and the name under which you donated. OR just forward your PayPal receipt to Jenny. This is very important as PayPal does not include details of donations received, so Tolga Bat Hospital will not know if the money is meant for Tolga or for Mandi. Tolga Bat Hospital's "PayPal Giving Fund" does not charge any fees, so the bats get all the money. And ALL donations over $2 are tax-deductible too. Yay! THANK YOU! ;-) MORE ABOUT AUSTRALIAN FLYING FOXES: Despite the 'bad press' flying-foxes have had (not helped by Hollywood and images of terrifying blood-sucking bats!), they are adorable sentient creatures and the most amazing flying mammals. In fact, they are the largest flying Australian mammal and the only mammal in Australia that is the closest genetically to humans - go figure! Maybe we were meant to fly, but the bats beat us to it! For more videos like this, go to: "Discover Bats" playlist at: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQrN5eNL5RhOIhD8Erg2cFyPrENv1ct-8 ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson (aka ex-iFototravel platform) is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, Irene has also been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She shares her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene says: “We are all stewards of our planet. Between us all, we can help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person…” Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For Irene's Travel Articles: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson https://www.Tubebuddy.com/ireneisaacsonphotography #mandisbats #batseatingmulberryleaves #ireneisaacson

Traveling in South Africa, we visited a Lion Park just outside Cape Town. Managing to get a virtual private tour by one of the young rangers, he explained to us how the park was run. Meanwhile, in the background, initially un-unbeknownst to us, a very amorous handsome white lion was deciding to exert his male dominance and 'have a go' at one of the girls in his enclosure. And he was very keen, and active... Well, boy did he stopped our conversation in its tracks (you will see what we mean)! PS. After they both disappeared into the deep grass to fall asleep - a hard day's job well done! MORE ABOUT IRENE ISAACSON: Irene Isaacson is a passionate travel and wildlife photographer. Whilst traveling over 1 million miles and across many continents over the last 10-15 years, she has honed her photography, videography, and photojournalism skills. With a particular love of experiencing all manner of wildlife interactions, she enjoys sharing her adventures in the hope to raise awareness of conservation and environmental issues, using her platform to inspire, support, and enact change. Irene has been a volunteer and active member of many global wildlife organizations. These include Not-For-Profit organizations, many of which benefit from regular donations from her photography business profits. She says "We are all stewards of our planet. Help secure the future of our world and the plants and animals within it. It only needs to start with one person... and that person could be you!" Say Hi on Socials: • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ireneisaacsonphotography • Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com.au/ireneisaacsonphotography For more information: • Email: ireneisaacsonphotography@gmail.com • Mobile: +61 407 126 750 • Website: www.ireneisaacsonphotography.com • For some of Irene's Travel Articles - Travel2Next: www.travel2next.com/author/irene-isaacson #lions #lionshavingsex #lionsmating #ireneisaacson

Watch as Terri, an experienced wildlife carer feeds one of her orphaned baby bats (flying fox). Only 8 1/2 weeks old, Tewa needs a special baby bat milk formula and drinks it from a bottle with a teat - go figure, just like a human baby. You don't get to see this every day...He is SOOOO cute!