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When flying fox pups are born they are delivered head first. The keeping staff monitors the bat collection twice daily(am & pm) for births, injuries or changes in behavior. It was during the afternoon feeding, the keepers found a wild-caught female little golden mantled flying fox (Pteropus pumilus) named "Precy" in the middle of delivering a pup. This species is native to the Philippines, and one of the smallest bats in the genus Pteropus. It is also a light-cream color in comparison to the Malayan flying fox (Pteropus vampyrus) which are black with reddish fur on the back on the neck.
"Precy" is approximately 14 - 16 years old and this pregnancy is important because we are trying to maintain the genetic diversity of our colony with the breeding of three wild-caught males who are poorly represented. The keepers found "Precy" in labor with the head of the pup exposed. They marked the time and waited. In general, the pup should have been delivered in approximately 45 minutes from this point, if all was going well with the delivery.
A half-hour elapsed, with no signs of progress occurring in the delivery. Emergency procedures were initiated in consultation with our vet, Dr Fiorello, and K-Y jelly was placed in the birth canal to help the dam to deliver the pup. This procedure was facilitated by the calm demeanor of this flying fox, and after this event she was returned to her roost site. We waited another half-hour for any sign of progress in the delivery, and still there was no movement of the pup from her original position. At this point, the old wild-caught female appeared tired, and we transported the bat to the University of Florida Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for a possible dystocia.
"Precy" arrived in good condition, but still showed no progress in delivering the pup. The head of the pup was still exposed, and the pup was still alive.
While shifting the aire kennel from the van into the hospital, Dr. Fiorello commented on a small peep/call coming from the kennel. The wildlife ward was prepared for the emergency, and as they opened the aire kennel both James McQueen and Dr. Fiorello found that "Precy" had delivered the pup on her own and was caring for the pup as normal. Both mom and pup appeared healthy, and were transported back to Lubee. We named the pup "Peep," and both mom and pup were put back into their normal environment.
Both mom and Peep are doing well, and appear no worse for their road trip on a late Sunday afternoon. Little-golden mantled flying foxes will nurse their pups for approximately 4-6 months in captivity.
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