Meet Batty and Scar!

Batty and Scar are Straw-colored Fruit Bats (Eidolon helvum).  

They can be found residing in World Bird Sanctuary’s Nature center when they are not traveling to schools and other venues to educate people about the importance of bats and the habitats where they are found.

 Like their wild brethren, Batty and Scar are communal animals and cling together whenever possible

Batty and Scar came to us in August of 2006 from the Milwaukee County Zoo.  They were both born in June of 2005.  Batty and Scar have only recently been moved to our Nature Center.  Before that they were housed in our Educational Training Center, behind the scenes at WBS.  

Contrary to myth, bats are really quite cute.

They are fast becoming a favorite of our visitors.  The first time people see them you can often hear “…bats – didn’t know they were that big…”, etc.  At first some people are put off by the many myths and common misconceptions about bats, but after a few minutes of viewing them, and when they actually see their faces, most people get very excited and you hear comments like “…how cute”.

 Batty & Scar are becoming popular education animals

Batty and Scar are still getting accustomed to being used for programs, and for outdoor programs must remain in their travel cage for safety, but they are doing great and had their first big weekend this past April at our first “Baturday” event. 

Batty and Scar are just two of the animals that can be adopted at WBS.  To adopt Batty or Scar you can make a donation of $75.00 for each, and specify in your payment notes “Adopt –A-Bat: Batty or Scar”.  Every donation helps to feed, house and provide medical care for the animals of your choice!

Adopt-a-Bird Parents receive:

·      A personal visit with the animal you adopt!!!! Call ahead to schedule a time for your personal visit.

·      Certificate of Adoption

·      Color photo of the animals you’ve adopted

·      Sponsorship card

·      One Year’s subscription to Mews News

·      Life History and Natural History of the animal

·      10% Discount off WBS merchandise Invitation to Sponsors-only events like Camera Day

·      Discounts on WBS Special Events

·      WBS Decal

Submitted by Cathy Spahn, World Bird Sanctuary Field Studies Coordinator