The outbreak of the (NiV) Nipah Virus in Kerala has been causing a frenzy in South India and people are shutting out all sorts of possible contact with bats. Bats have been identified as a mode of transfer as the virus. Coming in direct contact with the bat, getting bit by it or eating fruits bit by bats are some of the ways the virus is spreading. With no specific treatment to the virus, it is causing a lot of fear and panic amongst people. Furthermore, a lot of people also lost their loved ones due to this virus as it is deadly.
Bat Woman From Gujarat
Amid all this, about 50kms away from the city of Ahmedabad, a woman lives with around 400 bats. Furthermore, she is not scared of the winged mammals. Shantaben Prajapati very excitedly claims that she does not want to part away from these mammals until death.
She has been living alone as her daughters got married and her husband passed away at a young age. She has been working as a farm laborer after she lost her husband.
“I have heard of Nipah but I am not afraid”
How She Manages To Make This Happen
The walls of her house are crowded with these bats. She deals with the stench of bats with the help of neem and camphor incense. Furthermore, she cleans the floor off the droppings twice a day. It seems to be tedious but since she likes it, she does not see it as a difficulty.
“Who am I to decide their fate?”
There were a couple of neighbors too who had a few bats living up their places. But when they came to know about Nipah they drove them out. However, Batwoman is stern on keeping her bats and she does not care about others.
A Documentary On The Bat Woman
The documentary is titled ‘The Lady Who Lives With 500 Bats’ and it is uploaded on Youtube by a famous channel called ‘Barcroft Animals’. You can watch the 4-minute documentary here. What do you think about this? Let us know your opinions in the comments below. Also, make sure you check out all about the Nipah Virus and how to stay safe, here. Spread the word!