Just when you thought AnimalZone had flown the coop, the award winning series heads to Gainesville, Florida, for another unforgettable adventure at the Lubee Bat Conservancy.
In this two-part series, AnimalZone takes viewers high above the ground and into the remarkable world of bats, offering an up-close look at some of the planet’s most fascinating – and misunderstood creatures.
Hosted by AnimalZone founder Arthur von Wiesenberger, the episode features Lubee’s Brian Pope, who introduces viewers to the VIP accommodations reserved for some of the conservancy’s most extraordinary residents: custom-built cedar bat houses perched high above the ground.
These aren’t ordinary backyard bat boxes. Some of Lubee’s spacious structures can accommodate as many as 400 bats, providing plenty of room for the animals to stretch their wings, bask in the Florida sunshine and, quite literally, hang out together.
And hanging out is something these bats do exceptionally well.
Among the stars of the episode are magnificent Malayan flying foxes, members of the megabat family known for their impressive wingspans, expressive faces and remarkable intelligence. Despite their name, flying foxes aren’t foxes at all – they’re fruit bats, and their diet includes a particularly favorite treat at Lubee: cantaloupe.
There is, however, a preferred way to serve it.
Room temperature, please.
Beyond the humor and sheer spectacle of seeing these remarkable animals up close, the episode offers a glimpse into the deeply social nature of bats. Viewers will witness a tender moment between a mother and her pup, a reminder that beneath their unusual appearance and nocturnal lifestyle, bats are devoted parents with complex social lives.
It is moments like these that help tell a larger story – one that Lubee Bat Conservancy has championed for decades.
Founded with a mission to promote bat conservation through education, research and the care of endangered and threatened species, Lubee provides a unique environment where people can better understand the critical role bats play in ecosystems around the world.
And then there’s Arthur the Bat.
No, not that Arthur.
A legendary resident of Lubee, Arthur was something of an overachiever in the bat world, fathering an impressive 50 offspring during his lifetime. His legacy continues through the University of Florida, where his contributions to research and conservation have been preserved — ensuring that Arthur’s impact extends far beyond his years at the conservancy.
It’s a fitting tribute to an animal that helped demonstrate just how much there is to learn from bats. And also worth adding that this episode has resonated very well on the film festival circuit. Most recently an award winner at the San Diego International Film Awards and a semi-finalist at the Monte Carlo Movie Awards.
For AnimalZone, the return visit to Lubee is more than an opportunity to showcase some spectacular wildlife. It’s an invitation to look at these often-misunderstood creatures from a different perspective – to see their intelligence, family bonds, personalities and importance to the natural world.
So, if you haven’t yet discovered the fascinating world of Lubee’s bats, it’s time to hang out with the experts.
And perhaps keep some cantaloupe on hand.
Watch Part Two of AnimalZone’s visit to Lubee Bat Conservancy online and on Cox Television’s national network.
Written in partnership with Tom White
