This is Rupert, I had a phone call in November last year from a member of the public; they were reporting an adult flying fox caught in their fruit netting. On arrival I discovered the flying fox had been dead for a couple of days, however, there was a little cry coming from the adult flying fox.

After cutting the netting and taking the flying fox down I saw a little baby under her wing. I took the pup home to stabilize him. He had a very swollen wrist, the vets thought he had fractured his arm. After being in care for 1 week he came out with burns all over his face and the right wing.

Rupert had a big challenge ahead of him, with both nostrils sealed from the burns, bottle feeding became extremely difficult. Eventually the vets managed to free up one side of his nose.

I was told that he did not have a very good chance of surviving. After intensive 2 hour feeds, then 3 hour and slowly getting up to four hour feeds Rupert hung in there. He became very bossy and attached to me, I think this is because while the other babies were able to be feed 4 hourly Rupert had to be feed 2 hourly making him feel special. Also with all the creams and medicine, he had lots of time put into him.

Rupert kept surprising me and after a long journey and lots of help from Dot at Smithfield Vets, Rupert was finally able to be released. Rupert was my beautiful baby last year and against all odds he managed to pull through!

Submitted 22/07/2009 by Jess J