Clinging weakly to a cold gray fence post, a soaked little bat named Bea Arthur was barely hanging on.
After three days exposed to rain, wind, and predators in Gilbertsville, Pennsylvania, she looked like nothing more than a soggy lump — but someone noticed. And that changed everything.
“The poor old girl had been hanging there in the open for days,” said Stephanie Stronsick, founder of Pennsylvania Bat Rescue. “She was soaking wet from a storm and completely vulnerable.”
A concerned homeowner had spotted Bea and reached out via Facebook.
Within hours, a rescue volunteer arrived, carefully lifting the frail bat with gloves and wrapping her in a soft cloth. Bea was finally safe.
At the rehabilitation center, Bea began to recover — slowly but surely. Though she was shy, her sweet nature soon showed through.
“She’s very gentle,” Stronsick said. “She’s a quiet soul.”
Rescuers discovered that Bea had swelling on her head, likely from a bump or fall, which was affecting her coordination. With medication and round-the-clock care, she began to heal.
Bea is a native North American brown bat — a vital species that helps control insect populations and pollinate plants. While she continues to recover, she’ll stay at the rescue until spring, when her caretakers will reassess her strength and readiness for release.
If she’s not able to return to the wild, Bea has a forever home at the sanctuary, where she’ll be loved and protected.
Stronsick urges others to speak up when they see wildlife in distress. “Every life matters,” she said. “With a little help, even the most vulnerable can thrive.”
Want to support rescues like Bea’s? You can donate to Pennsylvania Bat Rescue.
