Daily life with Mandi; the inundation of paralysis syndrome bats

Описание: South East Queensland has been inundated with Flying-Foxes suffering from Flying-Fox Paralysis Syndrome (FFPS). The cause is unknown, however it appears to happen in clusters after wet weather. It seems to be spreading, with affected bats have been reported as far north as Townsville.
It's usually Black Flying-Foxes, and usually adult males, however some females are affected.

Mandi has had over 30 paralysis bats brought to her over the last 2 weeks, with bats initially needing IV lines and IV pumps to give them the fluids they require; they couldn't swallow more than minimally, and couldn't move or groom themselves. They needed supportive care until some of their functions came back; this included stimulating their swallowing reflex by hand feeding them with soft foods and tickling their throat. Gradually they progress to drinking from a dripper bottle then helping themselves to soft fruit in a bowl beside them, then to hanging in a sling and hanging by themselves.
After 10 days Mandi moved a dozen of the convalescing boys to another carer to make room for more bats in the early stages, who kept arriving in her live via late night visits from transporters from the zoo with too many bats in their care.

Flying-Fox Paralysis Syndrome (FFPS) has a complex path; nobody knows how it is actually happening however it appears to happen after a lot of rain; bats arrive in care with paralysis, emaciated and/or infested with maggots. They might arrive, paralysed, unable to swallow, unable to move, and mutely distressed. According to rescuers, there is an overwhelming smell of death in every colony, with the bats lost to this syndrome falling to the ground and dying.
The cause hasn't been found yet, but the victims are usually adult male Black Flying-Foxes. the reasons for this are complex, but surmised to be: that this is the time of the year that the boys are food dominant, and anything which might contaminate their food will affect them. It's coming up to breeding season, and the boys need to be buff, virile and gorgeous to the girls so they're bulking up.

There is also a train of thought that this is botulism, because there are mass deaths or paralysed birds as well at this time. Theories abound, but there is possibly a trail through botulism-infected waterbirds, who have flies feed on them and then lay eggs on fruit, which the dominant males bulking up ingest and get infected.
It's complex and the best investigative minds haven't sorted this out yet. At this stage, paralysis bats are coming into care, in too high numbers for the human infrastructure to cope with and care for easily.

Suffice to say; Mandi is inundated with the care needs, and needs some more IV pumps and equipment help. If anyone is able to help and donate please read the link below.
I know of a carer who has 80 paralysis bats in varying stages of the syndrome, in care at the moment.
If you're feeling sated after your Christmas and have a little moolah to spare, please donate; details below.

Thanks Mandi for the footage which is given in thanks for the continuing donations which help support the fruit costs for her bats.
Tolga Bat Hospital takes donations for Mandi.
https://tolgabathospital.org/donate/
Mention Megabattie or Meg in the PayPal message box and the money will find its way to Mandi
If no message box appears, please email Jenny to tell her that the money is for Mandi.
IMPORTANT: If you pay through the PayPal Giving Fund, can you please email Jenny with the AMOUNT DONATED and the name under which you have donated, OR just forward along the PP receipt. If you specify the amount donated, it makes it heaps easier for Jenny to find the donation.
The Giving Fund doesn’t charge any fees (so the bats get more money) but PP doesn’t itemise out the amount, they just send a total every month, and we don’t know if the money is for Tolga or for Megabattie.
Here’s Jenny’s email.
[email protected]