Husbandry Manual for Grey- Headed Flying Fox - Nswfmpa.org

Step 1.
Before approaching the bat, position your hands at
an appropriate distance on the towel*. With the
towel held loosely at your waist height approach the
bat quickly, confidently and quietly. As you are within
reaching distance of the bat, lift the towel, as shown
above. Do not approach the bat holding the towel up
as it will scare the bat and make it harder to catch.
Use enough speed so you are quick enough to cut
off the bat’s means of escape, but not so much that
the bat becomes stressed and either races towards
you, or spreads its wings in a defensive pose
making it harder to wrap.
(Some people prefer to position the towel between
themselves and the bat. It is safer for you as it puts
the towel between you and the bat, but harder to do
as you can’t see what the bat is doing).
Step 3.
With your right hand, bring the end of the towel up
so the head and body are totally enclosed. Whilst
maintaining pressure on the bat’s feet with your left
hand, prize the toes off the branch with your right. It
is important to make sure the bat feels it is gripping
on to something as it will be more relaxed and less
likely to struggle. Remember, the bat must exert a
conscious effort to release its grip, so it is naturally
difficult to prize the feet from its perch.
Step 2
Quickly wrap the towel around the bat and grip
both ends of the towel in your left hand. At the
same time apply very slight pressure to the bat’s
feet so the towel is tightly closed around the bat’s
ankles and the bat’s body is enclosed in the
wrapped towel. If the bat struggles unduly, or if
you have attempted to wrap whilst the wings were
open, release and start again. Wing bones are
very delicate and can break easily. Also if the
wings are raised, it means the head isn’t
contained. The wings could part the towel
allowing the bat to escape, to gauge you with its
thumb hook or to poke its head through the fold
and bite you (probably all three).
Step 4.
If you are holding the bat in your left hand,
position the bat’s toes over your left index finger
so it feels it is hanging. With your right hand,
neaten up the lower edge of the towel. Bring the
lower edge up to your left hand and grip the edge
with the other fingers on your left hand. This
releases your right hand to open up carry
cage/aviary doors. If holding the bat as above, be
mindful of the head in case it somehow manages
a freak bite through the towel.
* Please note, this handler is not wearing gloves. It is recommended that all bat handlers wear gloves as an added precaution
against bites and Zoonotic diseases.
Husbandry Manual – GHFF
Mandi Griffith - 35 -