["One Step Closer" playing]
[Jane] "Acerodon jubatus."
Jane, Greybeard, heads up. We're almost at the drop zone.
Copy that, David. We're good to go.
[chattering]
[whimpering]
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.
[Greybeard groans]
We've reached the drop zone. Thank you for flying Air David.
[Greybeard chattering, whimpering]
See you down there, buddy.
[screaming]
[chatters]
Sounds like you need a little help, Greybeard.
[shrieks]
[Jane] The early bat gets the worm.
[chattering]
Don't you mean the early bird gets the worm?
[Jane] Not today, because today, we're helping Acerodon jubatus.
[gasps]
Let me guess, that's the scientific name for bats.
[Jane] 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.
[David] That's easy.
Blood. Everyone knows that.
- Nice landing, Greybeard. - [chatters]
- [bat chitters] - [Greybeard chattering]
[Jane gasps]
Megabat located.
Correction, megabats located.
[whimpering]
Relax, Greybeard.
Some vampire bats drink blood,
but most bats eat insects, fruit, fish, mice, lizards--
- Chimpanzees. - [Greybeard chattering]
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? - [Jane] No.
[sighs] 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.
- [whimpers, shrieks] - He's just kidding, Greybeard.
Besides, they're nocturnal, which means they'll be asleep until it gets dark.
We got plenty of time.
[screeches]
[shrieking]
- [bats chittering] - Uh-oh.
- [Greybeard shrieking] - [Jane screaming]
[screaming continues]
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. W-Well, 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.
[Jane] Yeah, yeah.
Yes, I'm still here.
- [wind whistles] - [David] Jane! Greybeard's flying away!
Oh, no! Greybeard!
Greybeard! Don't worry! I'm coming!
[stammers] 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?
- [David] You see him? - No sign of him.
[sighs] He's not over here either.
Poor Greybeard. He's probably so scared.
He should be scared.
I-I found him, but you're not going to like where.
Why wouldn't I like where you found him? This garden is beautiful.
[Greybeard chattering, whimpers]
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.
Well, 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.
[doorbell rings]
[ringing]
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. [sighs]
[stammers] It's getting late.
Why don't we talk over dinner at your place?
[Jane] I'm sure she won't mind us quickly getting him.
[David] I'm sure she will.
[chattering]
Hang on, Greybeard. I've got you. [straining]
Jane, hurry. We don't wanna get caught back here.
[strains] Almost got it.
- [homeowner] Hey! - [Jane grunts]
- Oh, no. I ripped him. - [knocks on window]
You two, out of my yard.
- [Jane exclaiming] Oh, no! - [David exclaiming] Oh, no. Uh-oh.
- We're leaving. - [homeowner] Get out.
You use pesticides?
Not our biggest problem right now.
Out. Now!
You're trespassing.
- [David] We're sorry, we're sorry! - [homeowner sighs]
Wait, we have to go back for Greybeard.
- [chittering] - What was that?
[Jane] A flying fox!
Didn't you say they sleep during the day?
[Jane] They do start hunting at dusk.
Look at how big her wings are. She's amazing.
[chittering]
More like terrifying. [gasps] Run!
[chittering, screeches]
[sighs]
Mmm.
- [David] Go! Go! - [bat screeches]
- Maybe they eat people. - They're big, but not that big.
- [bat screeches] - [David screams]
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.
- [clicking] - [gasps]
What?
- It's on me, isn't it? - Mm-hmm.
- Is it sucking my blood? - Mm-mmm.
Is it going to?
Mmm.
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!
[bat chittering]
You look super cool right now.
- [screaming] - David!
[bat screeching, chittering]
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.
[Maria] 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.
[doorbell rings]
You really think this will work?
[doorbell rings]
Has to. [sighs]
[sighs]
She brought Greybeard inside. She stole him.
- Told you she was mean. - [sighs]
You stole my best friend.
I thought I was your best friend.
You stole one of my best friends.
Well, 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.
Oh, so no one's home, you're just gonna let yourself in?
Why are you so angry?
Just-- 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. [sighs] - Jane?
All right. You know what? Deal.
I'd do anything to get rid of these bugs...
and the two of you.
[crickets chirping]
- [sighs] - 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.
[chuckles]
I know you can.
- Why are some people so angry? - [sighs]
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.
[inhales sharply] I'll be right back.
[sighs]
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. [chuckles]
- Don't forget to turn off the hall light. - I won't.
[sighs]
Hmm.
- [chitters] - [doorbell rings]
[chuckles] 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?
[imitates screeching]
Sorry I asked.
The only batty thing I heard
was the idea that bats could be my backyard exterminators.
- [Jane] You might be surprised. - [David sighs]
[chittering]
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.
- Oh, 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.
[Jane] Thank you.
Hello, Greybeard. I missed you so much.
Wait.
Did you fix him?
Uh, he must have done it himself.
Are you secretly really nice?
Wait one sec. I have something for you.
- [Greybeard chattering] - [Jane chuckles]
- Hey, buddy. I missed you too. - [chatters]
I'm never letting you out of my sight again.
Before you leave... [sighs]
...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.
[Jane] 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 grunting, panting]
- Greybeard, that's our bait. - [bat chitters]
And that's the flying fox.
Greybeard, look out!
- [Greybeard chattering] - [bat screeching]
- Oh, no! - [shrieking]
The flying fox doesn't eat meat or fruit.
But he definitely sucks blood, and Greybeard's is on the menu.
Run, Greybeard!
[shrieking]
Run, Greybeard!
- [bat chittering] - [Greybeard chattering]
Watch out!
- Swing, Greybeard! Swing! - [bat screeches]
[David] Go, go!
[Jane] What does the bat want?
It isn't after Greybeard, and it didn't want the ants on us.
[panting, grunting]
It's the fruit!
The flying fox isn't after you, Greybeard! It wants the fruit!
Throw it!
- [screeching] - [chattering]
[screeches]
Come on, Greybeard. Over here.
[Greybeard chattering]
Aha!
Orange you smart, Jane?
- Get it? Orange you-- - I got it.
[chatters]
[chittering]
[chuckles] That's it. So much tastier than blood, am I right?
[chitters]
What's going on?
I think she's letting everyone take their stuff back.
[David] 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? [chuckles]
- And? - And I was wrong about bats too.
- Join the club. - [David] Yeah.
Did you put up more bat houses?
Well, the first one needed some company.
- I'm Robin, by the way. - Jane.
- David. At your service. - [Robin chuckles]
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. - [whimpers]
Don't worry. This time, we do it together.
Like I said, I'm not letting you out of my sight again.
- Ready? - [chatters]
[chattering]
- [chatters, shrieks] - [Jane] Yeah!
[Jane screaming]
- Whoo-hoo! Yeah! - [bats chittering]
- [chattering] - [screaming]
- [Jane] Help save the flying foxes. - [Greybeard chatters]
- [David, on walkie] Jane? - David?
Are you talking to her yet?
Lisa Paguntalan?
[Jane] 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.
- [chuckles] - [computer chimes]
[Jane] 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. - [Jane] I'll send you Lisa's photos later.
[Lisa] 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.
[Jane] 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. - [gasps] 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. - [bats chittering]
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.
W-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?
Um, n-nobody. Go to sleep, Millie.
I gotta go. Thanks, Lisa.
[David] 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. [speaks Tagalog]
Bye.
[call ends]
[sighs]
["One Step Closer" playing]