His name is Statler, and he’s a fruit bat turned internet superstar.
He likes warm hugs, warm sponge baths, fruit salad and flies … sort of.
Statler is an old fellow … probably the oldest living fruit bat in captivity.
While he can’t fly alone, his keepers take care of it.
His fans all over the world cheer him on.
The adorable Indian Flying Fox goes on simulated flights where he “steers” as he did in his younger and more vibrant years.
Statler is 33, which is old by bat standards.
He lives in the “ribatric” section of Bat World Sanctuary in Weatherford, Texas, a nonprofit that cares for bats that cannot be released into the wild.
They say when they got hold of him he had trust issues and was distant.
He only had one eye and they had to give him a good manicure.
But now he’s super spoiled, gets nice bubble baths, sunbathes with a massage and gives big old hugs.
And his birthdays are epic, filled with fruit juice!
Statler is also given daily medication for arthritis and any fruits he can eat.
Statler turns 34 in April and of course they are planning a big party.
This is retirement at its best.
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