articlePets & AnimalsOtter Original

A Pregnant Flying Fox Survived a Roadside Scare—and Spent Her Recovery Giving World-Class Side-Eye

Sully the grey-headed flying fox recovered from a traffic mishap while carrying a baby, all without losing her signature glare.

The Laughing Otter
Illustration of a grey-headed flying fox wrapped in a cozy blanket eating fruit with a funny side-eye expression.

If you ever need a lesson in staying fiercely unbothered while going through a tough time, look no further than Sully. Sully is a grey-headed flying fox who recently survived a near-disaster near Sydney Harbour, protected her unborn baby through the whole ordeal, and spent her recovery giving her human savior the kind of side-eye usually reserved for people who play loud music on public transit.

It all started when wildlife rescuer Meg Churches—known to her online followers as Megabattie—was called to Observatory Park right by Sydney Harbour. Found near a road, Sully had sustained minor scrapes and lost a patch of fur right off her forehead. The likely culprit? A glancing run-in with a passing vehicle. But despite the rough bump, this winged expectant mother proved to be absolute steel inside a fuzzy bat package.

Six Weeks of Pampering and Unapologetic Judgment

Taking in a wild bat who has just been through a traffic scare is delicate work, especially when that bat is eating for two. Yet Sully pulled off a micro-miracle: she maintained her pregnancy straight through the trauma of the accident and her subsequent stay in care.

For six weeks, Meg catered to Sully’s every need, ensuring she got enough rest and good food to heal those forehead scrapes. But if you think Sully was overflowing with tearful gratitude, think again. Throughout her stay, Sully kept her bright, crystal-clear eyes fixed firmly on her caretaker, subtly communicating that while the fruit snacks were acceptable, the service left much to be desired. Meg lightheartedly noted that every time she looked at Sully, those sharp eyes were quietly inspecting her and finding her completely wanting.

The Otterly Interesting Part

Grey-headed flying foxes are actually remarkable moms. Pregnant females carry their pups for about six months, and once born, the baby clings to the mother's belly even while she flies out on nightly foraging runs. The fact that Sully weathered a roadside accident without her body aborting the pregnancy shows just how incredibly resilient these fruit-loving mammals really are.

Back to the Wild (and Away from Humans)

After six weeks of full-time care, fur regrowing nicely and baby still safely on board, Sully was ready to take back the night sky. She was successfully released back into the wild to give birth on her own terms, far away from traffic and human caretakers who don't measure up to her high standards.

Would you be able to maintain your composure while being silently judged by a tiny bat wrapped in a towel? Honestly, we think Meg deserves a medal just for enduring the glare.

Keep exploring

  • Decoding the Midnight Zoomies: Why Your Cat Treats 3 AM Like the Olympics
  • Good News, Tourists: Butterfingers on the Empire State Building Won't Turn You Into a Supervillain
  • Before 1977, Nobody Knew What to Do With Their Hands When Something Good Happened
  • Take an Otter quiz

Have something to add?

Join the conversation

Kind, funny and useful takes only — that's the otter way.

0 comments
0/2000

Everyone can read along. To post, you'll just need a free Laughing Otter account — we'll keep what you've written.

Loading comments…

Keep going

Enjoyed this? Keep exploring The Laughing Otter.