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ARCHIVED - Terra Natura Benidorm welcomes six adorable fruit bat pups
The pups born at the zoo in the Marina Biaxa, Alicante province, are classified as a vulnerable species
Terra Natura Benidorm has welcomed the birth of six baby fruit bats, also known as flying foxes (Pteropus lylei), the latest addition to more than 1,500 animals of 200 different species homed at the zoo.
The tiny pups, just eight centimetres long, weighed about 50 grams at birth and because fruit bats are currently classified as vulnerable due to threats to their populations in wild ecosystems, staff at the facility are understandably excited about the new arrivals.
"The populations of flying foxes have declined considerably in recent years due to direct hunting, deforestation and the progressive degradation caused by the cultivation of palm oil for industry," said explained Terra Natura Benidorm. In fact, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, fruit bat populations have fallen by 30% over the last 15 years.
Nacen seis crías de #zorrovolador en @TerraNaturaZoo #Benidorm
— Terra Natura Zoo (@TerraNaturaZoo) April 1, 2022
🦇🦇🦇
Las crías han pesado al nacer cerca de 50 gramos y apenas miden unos ocho centímetros.https://t.co/Twhm7BzGjD pic.twitter.com/l1Vk0SVeCS
Carers at the zoo are currently keeping a close watch on the mother and her offspring to ensure they are in "an optimal and adequate state of health".
"The diet of females with young is reinforced with a greater supply of vitamins in the nectars they eat with the fundamental objective of making them better able to cope with the breeding stage," added Terra Natura.
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The adorable pups will remain under the supervision of their mother until they are three months old, when they are expected to start flying.
In the beginning, the relationship between mother and calf is one of total dependence; the young hangs on to its mother and never lets go.
"The mother climbs trees and even flies with the young on her back, as long as their size permits. When they are one month old, the pups will be identified by means of a microchip, they will be sexed and their state of health will be checked again."
Terra Natura Benidorm is currently home to 49 specimens of flying foxes, which belong to the bat taxon and are considered to be the largest bats on the planet.
Some species can reach a wingspan of up to two metres and owe their name to their face, which resembles that of a small fox.
Unlike other bat species, flying foxes feed only on fruit and nectar and their sense of direction is based on sight rather than echolocation.
Image: Terra Natura Benidorm
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