Daito flying foxes
The Pteropus dasymallus daitonensis, better known as the Daito flying fox, is the only mammal indigenous to islands that make up the Daito archipelago.
But their existence has been threatened since human habitation began there around 120 years ago, bringing cars, cats and electric wiring among other dangers. Experts believe there are now just 300 to 400 of the creatures remaining.
Injured bat gets lifeline
Late last year, a resident of Minami Daito Island spotted a young fruit bat bleeding in the street, apparently having been struck by a vehicle.
There are no veterinarians on the island, so the resident contacted a wildlife protection officer on the island. The officer took advice from a veterinarian on the main island of Okinawa and took the injured animal home.
The following day, the bat was transported by air to Naha Airport. From there, local staff from Japan's environment ministry coordinated its transfer to an animal hospital.
The bat was treated by Nagamine Takashi, president of the Okinawa Wildlife Federation, who works to protect Okinawa's rare creatures.
It's not the first time an injured bat has reached Nagamine's clinic, but he says many have either died during transportation or failed to recover to the point where they could fly again and be returned to nature.
This time, the islanders, an airline company, and Japan's environment ministry all helped to make sure the injured bat reached Nagamine swiftly.
"There are only a limited number of bats, so if humans are responsible for hurting one, I think it's our duty to try to return them to the wild," says Nagamine.
Back in the wild
After about three months of treatment, the Daito flying fox returned to health and was flown back to Minami Daito.
Its arrival generated great local interest, with about 100 people gathering to watch — and applaud — the release.
Nagamine calls it "a very rewarding result," and says he hopes it inspires people to take care of other rare creatures who might be injured by human activity.
