Raisin the Jamaican fruit bat has lived an extraordinary life — one that started in a sterile laboratory and now unfolds in comfort, surrounded by love, at Bat World Sanctuary.
When she arrived back in 2005, Raisin was one of several bats surrendered by a research facility. No one knew exactly what she’d been through, but the sanctuary staff welcomed the little group with open arms.
“We are always grateful when labs reach out to us to retire their bats so we can continue to give them a good home to live out the rest of their lives,” said Amanda Lollar, president of Bat World Sanctuary.
Two decades later, Raisin has grown into a spirited senior with the heart of a puppy.
“She’s a little bit of a senior citizen at this point, but that certainly doesn’t slow her down at all,” said Natalie Perez, vice president of the sanctuary. “She gets very excited for both treat time and sleep time.”
Though she no longer flies, Raisin still enjoys every moment of her golden years. Her caregivers have arranged everything — from food and water to enrichment toys — within easy reach in her cozy enclosure, shared with other geriatric fruit bats.
And while many bats prefer to be left alone, Raisin absolutely loves attention. Her favorite part of the day? Her gentle massages with jojoba oil.
“She turns into a happy little puppy during her massages,” Perez said. “She just melts.”
At around 20 years old, Raisin has far outlived the average lifespan of her species, which is typically about 10 years in the wild. Thanks to expert care, good nutrition, and a peaceful environment, she’s still thriving.
“We’ve had several bats live much longer than what literature reports,” Lollar said. “When they’re cared for properly, they can surprise you.”
Now, Raisin spends her days snacking on fresh papaya and bananas, curling up in soft hammocks, and dozing beside her bat friends — proof that even those who start life in the hardest circumstances can find joy and peace in the end.
“We try to let our bats just be bats,” Perez said. “We don't really take our bats out and handle them … Raisin is a little bit of the exception to that because she is very social.”
If baby Raisin could see herself now — two decades strong, loved, pampered, and free — she’d never believe it. But thanks to the compassion of her rescuers, that’s exactly the life she’s living.
No matter their beginnings, all bats deserve to be treated with this kind of compassion.
