Frodo, the baby flying fox, weighed less than a bar of chocolate when he was found orphaned on the island of Mahé in Seychelles. At just a few days old and 72 grams (2.5 ounces), he was helpless without his mother, but they had become separated.

Credit: Protect Paradise

Tragically, Frodo and his mother were never reunited. It is likely she was caught by hunters, disoriented by streetlights, or electrocuted by a powerline – just a few of the threats facing flying foxes across the Seychelles.

Hunting and human activity are destroying flying fox populations across the island of Mahé in the Seychelles. Without our help today, they have little chance of surviving.
Please, help us rescue and rehabilitate infant flying foxes!

Credit: ASI – Byron Seale

Earlier this year, we told you about one of the terrible threats facing flying fox communities on Mahé: being hunted and caught for an island delicacy: bat curry. It is cruel and barbaric, and it leaves countless babies orphaned as their mothers are captured in crude nets and then stabbed to death.

Credit: ASI – Byron Seale

But there are many other threats facing the species. A rapidly growing human population means severe encroachment on flying foxes’ habitats. Frequently, they fly into power lines and are electrocuted, get sick or die from poisons used on fruit crops, or lose their food sources to a growing human population. A terrible drug problem on the islands further diminishes their food supply as people steal fruit to sell for drug money.

When mother flying foxes are killed by these threats, their babies are left helpless and unable to feed themselves. They would starve to death were it not for our partner, Protect Paradise Seychelles (PPS).

Credit: ASI – Byron Seale

Ecologically important and largely misunderstood, flying foxes are in crisis.

It is only with your help right now that we can give them a fighting chance against the many threats they face.

Frodo is one of the many orphaned, injured or disorientated flying foxes rescued by PPS, who do their utmost to bring them back from the brink. Some are rescued after mistaking streetlights for the moon and flying into populated areas instead of out over the sea. They become confused and exhausted. Others are rescued from even more heinous situations, like Bella, who came in severely injured and paralyzed, possibly with a spinal injury.

Credit: Protect Paradise

PPS suspected she was trying to escape a bat trap or was bludgeoned by a human. However, they were not able to make an accurate diagnosis of her as they do not have an X-ray machine.

Left image credit: Protect Paradise & right image credit: ASI Byron Seale 

It is clear that our team urgently needs an X-ray machine, and if we can raise $15,000 (around £11550), that is exactly what we will purchase for them. Will you help us right now?

PPS works diligently and tirelessly to save every flying fox who comes through their doors. Babies are fed using a pacifier specially designed to mimic their mothers’ nipples, which helps make them feel secure. They also use special bat wraps called mumma rolls to imitate the feeling of holding onto their mothers’ bellies and would feel as if their mothers’ wings are wrapped around them. This expert care gives them the best chance of surviving, thriving, and ultimately being released into safe areas free of human activity and traps.

Flying foxes play a critical role in the ecosystem, and we cannot see them disappear. Please, help us save orphaned and injured creatures by donating right now.

Credit: ASI – Byron Seale

Flying foxes are a keystone species in the ecosystem, pollinating and disseminating diverse plant species. Seychelles’ rich and varied flora depend on species like flying foxes for survival, yet the animals – whose once-safe and verdant home is steadily being wiped out – are slaughtered by ignorant people.

With your support right now, we will save injured and orphaned babies and adults and show them that despite their reputation, we know they are important and we care!