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THE FLYING FOX MANUAL v3
The new, revised expanded and updated third edition handbook for wildlife carers
involved in the care of orphaned baby, and the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of
adult flying-foxes, tube-nosed and blossom bats in Australia.
Latest version release: v3.8.0 released 20 October 2024
Annual subscriptions are due now for members (see below)
WHAT IS NEW
The following is a list of changes since version 3.7.0
- 2.010: second incidence of Little reds in New Zealand.
- 2.011: SFF conservation status changes added.
- 2.027: updated titre checks & recommendations.
- 2.027: updated to include a PEP failure in the USA.
- 3.042: updated on emergency warming of compromised premmies.
- 4.006: new page added - balcony, courtyard and other closed-space rescues.
- 4.015: updated with how painkillers and sedatives can mask normal behaviour.
- 4.028: stress does not always lead to abortion - an example.
- 5.001: updated with 'the need to treat syndome'.
- 5.028: using hydrogels at room temperature - not from the fridge.
- 5.126: managing healing wound itchiness with Benadryl.
- 5.138: pain management and behaviour masking.
- 5.142: new page added - tramadol oral drops.
- 6.003: tube-nosed bats - ground-feeding behaviour.
- 6.003: photoluminescence in tube-nosed bats.
- 7.012: updated NSW code of practice for injured, sick and orphaned flying-foxes.
- 7.012: updated to include NSW rehabilitation of protected animals policy.
- Changes or additions to text (excluding additions above on):
2.001, 2.004, 2.005, 2.009, 2.027, 3.032, 4.003, 4.007, 4.029, 5.004, 5.083, 5.126, 5.142, 5.143, 7.017 and 7.018. - Photos changed or added to:
3.011, 4.012, 4.018, 4.029, 4.034, 5.028, 5.072, 6.003, and 6.005.
ABOUT THE MANUAL
The culmination of four years of work, this reference manual is now available as a direct download to computer or Android device, or as a standalone PDF. This manual supersedes version 2 (The Flying-fox Manual 2009) with a whole new look, including centred layout, simplified colour scheme, bigger sharper photos, and far easier navigation - including a much-requested new search function. It is available to bat carers, vets, researchers and anyone interested in the welfare and care of these amazing forest pollinators. The manual is divided into seven main sections - briefly outlined below - which expand into 321 sub-sections; with the printed equivalent of over 1806 A4 pages. It will be updated continually via a low-cost subscription service, with easy instructions on how to download updates to overwrite your manual.
Producing this manual would have been impossible without collaboration, and I am indebted to over 70 contributors who supplied their photos, expertise, suggestions and feedback - including a core group of highly experienced carers and vets who helped edit multiple sections. You know who you are and I thank you. The manual is divided into seven main sections:
HOME PAGES INTRODUCTION ORPHANED BABIES
This section covers the home pages of the manual, including title page, main menu, a full list of contents and a contact and feedback page.
A full list of contents included in this manual is here
This section of the manual is divided into 29 pages within 5 sub-sections (introduction, species, biology & ecology, public health and introduction to flying-fox care). Specific pages include topics such as acknowledgements, updates, flying-foxes in Australia, species profiles, anatomy, reproduction & life cycle, ecological significance, ABLV vaccinations, bat handling guidelines and principles of care.
This section is divided into 54 pages within 6 sub-sections (coming into care, stabilising, hand-rearing orphans, development, releasing juveniles and other baby stuff). Specific pages include topics such as why they come into care, rescue kit, age evaluation, housing, temperature management, milk formulas & charts, feeding, introducing fruit, stages of development, premature babies and crèche & release.
ADULT FLYING FOXES HEALTH & TREATMENT THE LITTLE GUYS
This section is divided into 37 pages within 5 sub-sections (coming into care, stabilising, housing & feeding, releasing adults and permanent care). Specific pages include topics such as rescue kit, specific rescue scenarios, examination & triage, stress management, feeding, caging solutions, managing pregnant & lactating mothers, preparing for release, soft & hard release and permanent care.
This large section is divided into 164 pages within 5 sub-sections (introduction & guidelines, conditions injuries and treatment, drugs & dosage, case histories and other). Specific pages include topics such as using your vet, medical guidelines, viability assessment, wound healing, pain management, a complete A-Z of conditions, diseases, infections, injuries and parasites, dose charts and case histories.
This section on blossom & tube-nosed bats is divided into 13 pages within 4 sub-sections (an introduction, rescuing & stabilising, babies in care and adults in care). Specific pages include topics such as species profiles of blossom & tube-nosed bats, rescue and first aid, stabilising, housing for babies, raising orphans, releasing orphans, housing adults, care & feeding of adults and releasing.
APPENDICES
This section is divided into 20 pages within 7 sub-sections (appendices, banding chipping collars & jackets, ethics objectivity & euthanasia, forms & records, legalities, mass disasters and references & further information). Specific pages include topics such as bat banding, bat jackets, E-collars, incident reporting forms, a medical chart, codes of practice, safe netting, food trees, a glossary of terms and further reading.
ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS & ORDERING
The Flying-fox Manual v3 is available via direct download as a compressed zip file with simple instructions for download and use. Once unzipped, the FFMv3 folder can be moved to anywhere that suits, such as your desktop, documents, a USB drive or external hard drive, and accessed at the click of a mouse. You can also copy it onto any android phone or tablet for carry anywhere convenience. All new customers get free updates to 30 June 2025.
Please note that due to different folder type restrictions, the manual cannot yet be copied onto IOS devices such as iPads and iPhones. You can, however, order a standalone PDF version to read on iOS devices, but please note it does not have the same functionality, with regard to features like the search function. Note that the PDF version is free to request from me for new customers and existing subscribers, but if you just want the PDF, it is available below.
Annual subscriptions for existing customers are now due, with link below. This price ($9.99) is for a year's subscription, allowing you to download multiple updates throughout the year to 30 June 2025. All subscribers get access to updates and full instructions.
THE PRODUCTS
The Flying-fox Manual v3 - for new customers
This is for a direct online download of the manual for new customers. Once purchased, you will be sent the direct download link with easy-to-follow instructions to install and use.
$30.00 AUD
If you already own a manual (USB or Direct Download) see annual subscriptions below.
Pay by PayPal, just send $30.00 to [email protected]
* * * Please put your full name and Windows or Mac in the note (e.g. Fred Smith Windows) * * *
Pay by Bank Transfer, just transfer $30.00 to my account. BSB: 062580 Account: 10228357 Account Name: David C Pinson.
* * * Please put your full name and Windows or Mac in the note (e.g. Fred Smith Windows) * * *
Annual Subscription - Mac
This is the annual subscription for updates for existing customers using Mac operating systems on their computers. Once purchased, you will be sent the direct download link with easy-to-follow instructions to update and use. Subscribers will be notified as updates become available.
$9.99 AUD
Pay by PayPal, just send $9.99 to [email protected]
* * * Please put your full name and Mac in the note (e.g. Fred Smith Mac) * * *
Pay by Bank Transfer, just transfer $9.99 to my account. BSB: 062580 Account: 10228357 Account Name: David C Pinson.
* * * Please put your full name and Mac in the note (e.g. Fred Smith Mac) * * *
Annual Subscription - Windows
This is the annual subscription for updates for existing customers using Windows operating systems on their computers. Once purchased, you will be sent the direct download link with easy-to-follow instructions to update and use. Subscribers will be notified as updates become available.
$9.99 AUD
Pay by PayPal, just send $9.99 to [email protected]
* * * Please put your full name and Windows in the note (e.g. Fred Smith Windows) * * *
Pay by Bank Transfer, just transfer $9.99 to my account. BSB: 062580 Account: 10228357 Account Name: David C Pinson.
* * * Please put your full name and Windows in the note (e.g. Fred Smith Windows) * * *
Standalone PDF
This is the PDF version of the current manual for iOS devices like iPhones and iPads only, which do not currently support normal file structure.
Please note that some functionality such as 'search' do not work in the PDF version.
$25.00 AUD
Pay by PayPal, just send $25.00 to [email protected]
* * * Please put your full name and PDF in the note (e.g. Fred Smith PDF) * * *
Pay by Bank Transfer, just transfer $25.00 to my account. BSB: 062580 Account: 10228357 Account Name: David C Pinson.
* * * Please put your full name and PDF in the note (e.g. Fred Smith PDF) * * *
CONTACT
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