01x04 - Acerodon jubatus

[bunniefuu]

"Acerodon jubatus."

Jane, Greybeard, heads up.
We're almost at the drop zone.

Copy that, David.
We're good to go.

Correction, I'm good to go.

I know it's a little
scary, Greybeard,

but there's an animal down
there that needs our help.

Plus, our high-tech parachutes
will make sure we land safely.

We've reached the drop zone.
Thank you for flying Air David.

See you down there, buddy.

Sounds like you need a
little help, Greybeard.

The early bat gets the worm.

Don't you mean the early
bird gets the worm?

Not today, because today,
we're helping Acerodon jubatus.

Let me guess, that's the
scientific name for bats.

Megabats, technically.

Megabat? Why would mega
anything need our help?

Because unfortunately,
there's not that many left.

One of the reasons some
animals are endangered is

because they don't
have enough food.

So, our first step is to
figure out what they eat.

That's easy.

Blood. Everyone knows that.

Nice landing, Greybeard.

Megabat located.

Correction, megabats located.

Relax, Greybeard.

Some vampire bats drink blood,

but most bats eat insects,
fruit, fish, mice, lizards...

Chimpanzees.

No. And other bats.

Ew. Mega gross.

Everything needs
to survive, David.

These bats are called giant
golden-crowned flying foxes.

So, my idea is that
they eat what foxes eat.

- Do foxes eat other foxes?
- No.

Strike one thing
off our food list.

If I can attach this
camera to one of the bats,

we can see what it eats and then
figure out how to help them.

Watch your back. And your neck.

He's just kidding, Greybeard.

Besides, they're nocturnal, which means
they'll be asleep until it gets dark.

We got plenty of time.

Uh-oh.

Jane, I told you
a hundred times,

"No screaming, roaring or
howling when I'm on a work call."

Sorry, Mom, but we were this close
to getting a camera on a flying fox

so we can see what they eat.

It's not what you
think. They're bats.

Megabats, technically.

Okay. Good luck.

- Just be more...
- Quiet.

We'll have to be if we
wanna get close to a bat.

I'm not sure you're hearing me exactly,
but dinner will be ready in 30.

Yeah, yeah.

Yes, I'm still here.

Jane! Greybeard's flying away!

Oh, no! Greybeard!

Greybeard! Don't
worry! I'm coming!

Hold, please.

Jane, what did I just tell you?

Where are you going?

Greybeard flew off the balcony.
We don't know where he went.

Don't worry, Jane's mom. We're
gonna find him. It's gonna be okay.

Sure. Fine! Just
come home for dinner.

What are you having?

I haven't decided yet!

David, come on.

I was just checking to see
if I wanted to come over.

Pasta?

See you for dinner!

Okay.

Where should we start?
Greybeard could be anywhere.

We'll cover more
ground if we split up.

Greybeard? Greybeard,
where are you?

Greybeard? Greybeard?

- You see him?
- No sign of him.

He's not over here either.

Poor Greybeard. He's
probably so scared.

He should be scared.

I found him, but you're
not going to like where.

Why wouldn't I like where you found
him? This garden is beautiful.

Don't you know who lives here?

They say she never
comes out of the house.

They say she's the meanest person
in the history of the neighborhood.

- They say that i...
- Who's they?

My sister, mostly.

There's a lot of things people
think about bats that aren't true.

It might be the same
for whoever lives here.

There's one thing
I know for sure.

Nobody's ever gotten anything
after it landed back there.

See?

First time for
everything. Come on.

Told you.

Maybe nobody's home.

Hello. I'm Jane.

Sorry to bother you,

but my friend Greybeard
parachuted into your backyard.

We'd like to get
him back, please.

Do you wanna borrow
one of my stuffies?

We can't just leave Greybeard.

He's trapped. You
saw it yourself.

- Where are you going?
- To get my friend back.

Wait, Jane. Don't.

It's getting late.

Why don't we talk over
dinner at your place?

I'm sure she won't mind
us quickly getting him.

I'm sure she will.

Hang on, Greybeard.
I've got you.

Jane, hurry. We don't
wanna get caught back here.

Almost got it.

Hey!

Oh, no. I ripped him.

You two, out of my yard.

- Oh, no!
- Oh, no. Uh-oh.

- We're leaving.
- Get out.

You use pesticides?

Not our biggest
problem right now.

Out. Now!

You're trespassing.

We're sorry, we're sorry!

Wait, we have to go
back for Greybeard.

What was that?

A flying fox!

Didn't you say they
sleep during the day?

They do start hunting at dusk.

Look at how big her
wings are. She's amazing.

More like terrifying. Run!

Go! Go!

- Maybe they eat people.
- They're big, but not that big.

Why does everything we
try to save attack us?

I don't think that's
what she's doing.

Besides, I think we lost her.

Are you sure?

Because I'm ready for dinner,
but I don't want to be dinner.

What?

It's on me, isn't it?

Is it sucking my blood?

Is it going to?

Bats drinking human
blood is extremely rare.

So, maybe. The answer is maybe.

This is why I chose to
stay in the plane, Jane.

Get this thing off me!

I can feel its mega toes!

You look super cool right now.

David!

I don't think it
wants our help, Jane.

We just need to understand
it better. It's endangered.

I think I understand that
it was trying to eat me.

Now I'm endangered.

We don't know that... for sure.

Maybe my mom can help.

Plus, dinner should be ready.

Do you know if there's
gonna be dessert?

So, you figured out
they drink blood, or no?

- Not sure yet.
- Yes.

There must be another
reason it came after us.

Even vampire bats don't
usually go after human blood.

And if they do, only when
their prey is sleeping.

I don't think I'll
ever sleep again.

Where did that ant come from?

And that one?

Look at you two.
You're covered in them.

That's it!

That's why the flying
fox was coming after us.

It must have wanted
to eat the ants.

Okay, but why are
you both so sticky?

We accidentally
crushed some fruit.

But I think I just figured
out how to get Greybeard back,

and the flying fox is
gonna help us do it.

I need a part of your plane.

Can we finish eating first?

And get rid of these ants.

You really think this will work?

Has to.

She brought Greybeard
inside. She stole him.

Told you she was mean.

You stole my best friend.

I thought I was
your best friend.

You stole one of
my best friends.

You trampled my fruit tree,
so I guess we're even.

That was an accident.
You startled us.

How startled do you think I was,

seeing two strangers
sneaking around my backyard?

We tried ringing the bell.

So no one's home, you're
just gonna let yourself in?

Why are you so angry?

Just get out of here.

Wait! We brought you something.

To make up for what we squished.

Unless it's a replacement
fruit tree, I'm not interested.

It's a bat house.

It used to be my plane.

Why do you use pesticides
on your plants?

To get rid of bugs.

Pesticides are really
bad for the environment.

Everything's bad
for the environment.

That's just not true. Look.

"How can we believe it is a good
idea to grow our food with poison?"

Jane Goodall said that.

Pesticides are poisons. There are
other ways to get rid of bugs.

Like, a lot of bats eat insects.

- That's a bat?
- It's not my best.

But just one bat can eat
a thousand bugs a night,

more than enough to protect
your beautiful garden.

I'm not a fan of
intruders, big or small.

Goodbye.

I'll make you a deal.

Let us leave this bat house
in your backyard overnight

and film it to see if a bat
eats the bugs in your garden.

Now you're setting up a camera?

If it works, you get to keep the box,
and you won't need pesticides anymore.

Then you could give
Greybeard back?

And if it doesn't?

- You get to keep Greybeard.
- Jane?

All right. You know what? Deal.

I'd do anything to get
rid of these bugs...

and the two of you.

Everything okay?

We set up the bat house and
David's dad's old camera.

Hopefully, our bat will show up

so we can figure out what it
eats and get Greybeard back.

Is everything okay with you?

I miss him already.

Why don't you let me talk
to this lady for you?

I can handle it.

I know you can.

Why are some people so angry?

Life's not easy, sweetie.

And sometimes, it's easier for
people to be angry at the world

instead of trying to do
something to change it,

which is the opposite of you.

I'll be right back.

This is my stuffie
from when I was a kid.

- Why don't you borrow her tonight?
- Thanks, Mom.

Love you.

I love you too.

- Don't forget to turn off the hall light.
- I won't.

Hi.

You've got to be kidding me.

Good morning.

If you say so.

I don't think she's a morning,
afternoon or evening person.

Can we come in and check
the camera for bats?

Thanks for asking this time.

So, did you hear anything
batty last night?

And what does batty sound like?

Sorry I asked.

The only batty thing I heard

was the idea that bats could
be my backyard exterminators.

You might be surprised.

I can't believe it. It worked.

It's good, but it looks like
a Townsend's big-eared bat.

Definitely not our flying fox.

It's cute...

in an ugly kind of way.

And very helpful.

Plus, bats hunt at night, so
you'll barely ever see them.

I might keep that box after all.

And stop using pesticides?

We'll see how it goes.

That's a great first step.

We still need to figure out
what the flying fox eats.

If it's not insects, then it must
be some other type of meat or fruit.

Or human.

A deal's a deal. I'll go
get your monkey friend.

- He's a chimpanzee.
- Same thing.

Chimpanzees are
apes, not monkey...

Never mind!

So, how are we gonna
help the flying fox?

That's what we still
have to figure out.

As promised, one stuffie.

Thank you.

Hello, Greybeard. I
missed you so much.

Wait.

Did you fix him?

He must have done it himself.

Are you secretly really nice?

Wait one sec. I have
something for you.

Hey, buddy. I missed you too.

I'm never letting you
out of my sight again.

Before you leave,

I thought these might help test to see
if your flying fox bat likes fruit.

They're pesticide-free.

A taste test. Great idea.

Now all we need is meat.

Oranges and hot
dogs, in position.

I'm so hungry.

David!

What? This is taking forever.

David, we have to be patient

so we can see whether the
flying fox eats fruit or meat.

Greybeard, that's our bait.

And that's the flying fox.

Greybeard, look out!

Oh, no!

The flying fox doesn't
eat meat or fruit.

But he definitely sucks blood,
and Greybeard's is on the menu.

Run, Greybeard!

Run, Greybeard!

Watch out!

Swing, Greybeard! Swing!

Go, go!

What does the bat want?

It isn't after Greybeard, and
it didn't want the ants on us.

It's the fruit!

The flying fox isn't after you,
Greybeard! It wants the fruit!

Throw it!

Come on, Greybeard. Over here.

Orange you smart, Jane?

- Get it? Orange you...
- I got it.

That's it. So much tastier
than blood, am I right?

What's going on?

I think she's letting everyone
take their stuff back.

You are?

Since I was wrong about bats,

I figured maybe kids
can't be all that bad.

The first few were
a little nervous.

It turns out I had kind of
a reputation around here.

Yeah. Who would
believe any of that?

- And?
- And I was wrong about bats too.

- Join the club.
- Yeah.

Did you put up more bat houses?

The first one
needed some company.

- I'm Robin, by the way.
- Jane.

David. At your service.

Thanks for everything.

Maybe we should make even more
bat houses for the neighborhood?

Good plan.

But first, let's
help the flying fox.

We're almost there. It's
time to finish the mission.

Now that we know what it eats,
we can help the flying fox

by planting fruit trees to
make sure it has enough food.

Let's go, Greybeard.

Don't worry. This time,
we do it together.

Like I said, I'm not letting
you out of my sight again.

Ready?

Yeah!

Yeah!

Help save the flying foxes.

- Jane?
- David?

Are you talking to her yet?

Lisa Paguntalan?

No, not yet.

Can you keep your walkie
on so I can listen?

I wanna hear all
about the flying fox.

- Golden-crowned flying fox, to be exact.
- Right.

- Why are you whispering?
- I'm supposed to be sleeping.

You're lucky your mom is letting
you stay up late to talk to Lisa.

It's so cool that she
lives in the Philippines.

It's the only place they live.

That's why Lisa knows
all about the flying fox.

Golden-crowned flying
fox, to be exact.

She's here!

- Hi, Lisa.
- Hi, Jane.

Hi, Lisa.

Who is that?

That's my friend, David,
over the walkie-talkie.

He wanted to talk to you too.

Hi, David.

I really wanted to know, why is it
called the golden-crowned flying fox?

Let me see if I can
show you something.

Here.

- I wish I could see it.
- I'll send you Lisa's photos later.

Among the 26 species of fruit-eating
bats in the Philippines,

this is the only one that
has this golden crown

that's shaped like a letter
V on top of its head.

So cute.

Did you see any golden-crowned
flying foxes lately?

Yes, just a few days ago.

- I went out in the field to find them.
- You're so lucky.

That they don't drink
blood like some bats.

I told you vampire bats don't
usually drink human blood.

Golden-crowned flying
foxes eat fruit, right?

Yes. Golden-crowned flying
foxes like to eat fruits,

but they love figs.

Seventy-nine percent of what
they eat is actually figs.

And the figs rely on the bats

because they need the flying foxes
to help disperse their seeds.

So they're kind of like
farmers planting seeds.

That is correct, Jane.

Is that a telescope? Do
you also study space?

I like space.

This is actually
a spotting scope.

This is what we use to
look for flying foxes,

identify them and count them.

Let me show you how we do it.

We have to wait
until early evening.

That's when all the bats will
emerge from their roosting site,

and that's when we count them.

How many are left?

There are just about 10,000
to 20,000 of these bats

that are left in
the Philippines.

Why are the flying
foxes endangered?

Bats do not like us going
into their habitats.

We are destroying it.

What can we do to help?

The power of the communities
and the volunteers

cannot be underestimated.

Look at all of these photos of Filipinos
helping us to protect the bats.

I teach them to count
and identify the bats.

They are the reason behind why

many of these flying fox roost colonies
are still there and live their life.

A loss of one Philippine species

is not just only a loss of
biodiversity of the Philippines,

it is the loss of the world.

Because, after all,
we are all connected.

But how can we help from
all the way over here?

Sharing a good story of a
bat would actually help.

It would help change the minds of
people that are afraid of bats.

And when you start to
understand, you start to care.

- We can do that, Jane.
- Yeah, we definitely can.

David, who are you talking to?

Nobody. Go to sleep, Millie.

I gotta go. Thanks, Lisa.

Talk tomorrow, Jane.

Thanks for talking to us, Lisa.

We'll definitely help as
many animals as we can,

whether they're here
or in the Philippines.

Good night.

Bye.