THIS rare and tiny eastern blossom bat (Syconycteris australis), affectionately named Blossom, will soon have a new home on Bribie Island after being rescued on Macleay Island in October.
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Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland president Louise Saunders, of Cleveland, said a Macleay Island resident found Blossom on her rear deck at home and realised she was young, had lost her mother, and needed help.
"She was only a baby when she came to me, and she needed milk feeds and support," Louise said.
"She gets lots of cuddles, plus three feeds of milk a day, a nectar mix at night, and banksias and grevilleas at night as well."
Louise said Blossom was rare in that her type was seldom seen, and in New South Wales was listed as endangered.
"These bats are rare because they're so tiny that people don't notice them as much as other bats," she said.
"They also live isolated in the banksia heath and development has pretty much wiped them out on most islands."
Louise said Blossom, having been born in October, was a juvenile, but had already reached adult size.
"Her prospects are good and, being a little female, she needs to get back to the wild and reproduce her kind," she said.
Louise said Blossom would soon go to a carer on Bribie Island who would facilitate a "soft release" for her, which she said meant Blossom's transition back to the wild could take several weeks or months to complete.
Louise is currently caring for 150 orphaned flying foxes and said she was seeking a new release site for them.
"We need access to land where we can put up a 16m by 6m cage and which is in close proximity to an existing flying fox colony," she said.
"Some bushland nearby is also needed."
For further information, contact Louise on 0425 734 008 or email her at president@bats.org.au
