She emerged from the private island resort's gardens, cradling a small creature wrapped in a fleece blanket. It definitely wasn't your typical bundle of joy.
Instead, it was an adorable baby fruit bat that gazed back with glistening wide eyes full of wonder, conveying innocence, vulnerability and curiosity.
The woman who carried the young bat, Flo, was one of the owners of Matangi Private Island Resort in Fiji. She described how she'd rescued the bat from the beach, where it'd been abandoned by its mother and had no hope for survival. Luckily, the juvenile would be cared for by Matangi's owners, whose compassion for animals is echoed in the warmth and amiability they extend to the resort's guests and community.
Matangi Private Island Resort & Spa is an intimate adults-only resort and tropical haven for honeymooners as well as nature and adventure lovers alike. A series of hiking trails maintained by the resort allows visitors to explore native flora and fauna while meditating upon the island's natural serenity.
Other complimentary activities include kayaking, paddle boarding and daily snorkeling excursions that visit some of the planet's most spectacular reefs. Guests can also arrange to experience a private, romantic escape to the island's secluded Horseshoe Bay as well.
Both intimate and exquisite, the resort consists of twelve boutique bures (bungalows) accompanied by an oceanfront spa and an open-air restaurant. It's in this space that guests are presented with world-class gastronomy and introduced to the local community through musical performances.
This was actually my first encounter with Flo, not recognizing her as one of the resort's owners, as she stood singing alongside a chorus made up of staff and villagers. When I had the chance to speak with her over dinner, I learned she grew up on the island.
In fact, her family has lived there for 140 years.
Before Flo's family migrated to Fiji, it was a part of the Tongan Empire. For this reason, much of the resort's architecture is borrowed from Polynesia, incorporating concepts of design that cannot be found elsewhere in the nation. This can be observed in the circular layout of structures summoning fresh sea breezes and natural ventilation.
Each of the resort's charmingly furnished bures includes a king-size, four-poster bed as a centerpiece-clearly a remnant of European influence. At night, cool air from an air conditioning unit overhead is contained within a sheer and luxurious canopy of curtains, a design that incorporates modern convenience with both guests' comfort and energy conservation in mind.
As Fiji's growing tourism industry brings more visitors to Matangi Private Island Resort, the owners remain dedicated to natural preservation. Part of this devotion is manifested in their love for animals and a commitment to rescuing those who are injured or abandoned.
Once vetted and rehabilitated, some animals can be re-released. Those that are unable to survive unassisted are cared for by Flo and her husband. For the most part, the rescue animals are kept separate from the resort and only come out when guests express interest.
Bats are the only native mammals of Fiji, yet five out of six species are threatened or critically endangered.
Because they play a vital role in the ecosystem by disseminating pollen and curtailing insect populations, it's important for residents like Flo and her husband to challenge widespread misconceptions by maintaining the bat sanctuary and generating awareness.
In 2017, The Fiji Times published a feature explaining the importance of bats to the country's natural heritage. Conservation officer Siteri Tikoca told reporters that it's usually locals who carry this message between communities and become champions of the conservation initiative.
It gives me optimism to have encountered such a love for all animals in Fiji as the culture adapts to global influences and modernization. This is exemplified by the empathy for injured and abandoned animals that's demonstrated by the owners of Matangi Private Island Resort.
As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."
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