A flying fox (Pteropus lylei) from Terra Natura Benidorm recovers from a dislocation in its right wing after being treated by our veterinary team. The specimen had suffered the injury in the interphalangeal joint of the right wing. The zookeepers detected days ago that it used to stay inside its facility while the rest of the members of the group of the species went out to feed.

As soon that this strange behaviour was detected, a follow-up protocol was applied, which made it possible to locate the problem in one of its wings by presenting an unnatural position. Since then, the veterinary team has treated and administered analgesics to prevent pain and thus promote his recovery as much as possible. After a few days in observation, the animal evolves favourably and gradually recovers mobility.

This is the first time that a flying fox from Terra Natura Benidorm suffers from this pathology, which the zookeepers think it may be caused by a fight between males of the same group, as they are in the midst of courtship and confrontations are more intense and frequent.

Currently, the park has a colony of 41 flying foxes, belonging to the taxon of the largest bats that exist on the planet where they can reach up to two metres of wingspan. The name they receive is due to their face that resembles a small fox.

The populations of these animals have declined considerably in recent years as a consequence of direct hunting, deforestation and the progressive degradation of their habitat. According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), this species has registered a decline of around 30% during the last 15 years.