With Oso, my little big brown bat pup, getting older, I have a BUNCH of
questions in preparation for his release.  My last bbbs couldn't be released, so
they're my education bats.
 
If Bruce can locate the colony on the Tulsa University campus, is it safe to
release him into that one?  I believe it's a maternity colony.  While he's this
year's pup, one experienced bat rehabilitator told me that a lone male might not
be accepted.  She also advised that it would probably be okay to release him
nearby and let him find his own companions.  Might there be some bachelors
nearby?  Should I just release him in the vicinity of the colony?  Would he be
able to find the other bats and know to take up residence with them?
 
I tried very carefully introducing Oso to the two adult big browns.  Both Oso
and the female were completely indifferent.  Oso actually seemed oblivious to
the other bats.  My adult male, however, became quite agitated, and came
charging out of his pouch giving irritation buzzes.  Does the fact that Oso
seemed to care nothing at all about the adult bats mean anything?  He's been
brought up alone....  Will he be able to learn to socialize properly once I
release him?
 
If Bruce is unable to locate the TU colony, is anyone aware of a colony
comparatively close to central Oklahoma?  I'd love it if Leslie could introduce
him to the colony that she uses, but Virginia is a bit far from here.
 
My questions may be a bit premature.  Oso hasn't yet shown any interest in
flying.  He is, though, self-feeding (though I still feed him formula in the
morning and at night).
 
Thanks for any and all information you can give me.
 
Carol Bunyard
Oklahoma
 
 




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