‘We have no idea how it got in’: Mystery visitor leaves couple scrambling
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Australia’s unique wildlife has a knack for turning up in the most unexpected places, often bringing a mix of surprise and chaos into suburban homes.
For one Gold Coast couple, a quiet night took an unexpected turn when they were jolted awake by an unusual disturbance in their living room.
What they found left them scrambling into action in a bid to restore order—without getting too close.
Australia’s wildlife is known for making surprise visits into homes, especially as urban areas continue to expand into their natural habitat.
One Gold Coast couple had a late-night encounter they never expected when a sudden noise in their living room pulled them out of bed.
Christine Webb and her partner, Lance, rushed to investigate, their dogs barking wildly—something that only happened when ‘something is not right’.
The source of the chaos quickly became clear: a tiny bat had somehow found its way inside and was now flitting around their home.
‘We have no idea how it got in,’ Christine shared, explaining that the creature had taken refuge behind a decorative ladder on the wall.
After securing their dogs in their crates, Christine, a vet, and Lance focused on guiding the uninvited guest back outside.
Christine, who is 4’11, said Lance—standing at 6ft—was ‘the better man for the job’.
Wildlife encounters weren’t unusual for the couple, but this was the first time a bat had joined the list.
She suspected it may have entered through an open door, hitched a ride on an object, or even slipped in through the roof.
Video footage showed Lance wearing gloves for safety as he carefully tried to move the bat using a towel and a duster.
The bat darted from its hiding spot behind the ladder and flew straight to the air conditioner, forcing them to rethink their approach.
Knowing that bats are nocturnal, the couple turned off all lights except for the ones leading outside, hoping it would follow the darkness to freedom.
For over 20 minutes, the bat remained elusive, until it finally landed on a hat hanging on the wall.
Lance took the opportunity to gently capture it before safely releasing it outside.
Christine noted that they had taken precautions due to the potential risk of lyssavirus, a virus carried by a small percentage of bats.
‘There is a small but real chance that they can have lyssavirus,’ Rhiannon Traish-Walker, President of Bats QLD shared, explaining that symptoms only appear once it’s too late.
‘It’s a simple case of if you’re bitten, go to hospital to get those vaccinations. We have a simple rule of no touch, no risk.’
Christine advised against attempting a bat rescue without proper knowledge.
In a previous story, another Aussie household experienced an equally startling encounter when an unexpected visitor made its way inside.
It’s a reminder that no home is completely off-limits to curious wildlife.
Read on to discover what left them questioning their home’s security.
Unexpected wildlife encounters are just part of life in Australia, but have you ever had a surprise visitor in your home? Let us know your story in the comments!
For one Gold Coast couple, a quiet night took an unexpected turn when they were jolted awake by an unusual disturbance in their living room.
What they found left them scrambling into action in a bid to restore order—without getting too close.
Australia’s wildlife is known for making surprise visits into homes, especially as urban areas continue to expand into their natural habitat.
One Gold Coast couple had a late-night encounter they never expected when a sudden noise in their living room pulled them out of bed.
Christine Webb and her partner, Lance, rushed to investigate, their dogs barking wildly—something that only happened when ‘something is not right’.
Gold Coast couple wakes to a shocking intruder. Image source: Facebook/Christina Webb
The source of the chaos quickly became clear: a tiny bat had somehow found its way inside and was now flitting around their home.
‘We have no idea how it got in,’ Christine shared, explaining that the creature had taken refuge behind a decorative ladder on the wall.
After securing their dogs in their crates, Christine, a vet, and Lance focused on guiding the uninvited guest back outside.
Christine, who is 4’11, said Lance—standing at 6ft—was ‘the better man for the job’.
Wildlife encounters weren’t unusual for the couple, but this was the first time a bat had joined the list.
She suspected it may have entered through an open door, hitched a ride on an object, or even slipped in through the roof.
Video footage showed Lance wearing gloves for safety as he carefully tried to move the bat using a towel and a duster.
The bat darted from its hiding spot behind the ladder and flew straight to the air conditioner, forcing them to rethink their approach.
Knowing that bats are nocturnal, the couple turned off all lights except for the ones leading outside, hoping it would follow the darkness to freedom.
For over 20 minutes, the bat remained elusive, until it finally landed on a hat hanging on the wall.
Lance took the opportunity to gently capture it before safely releasing it outside.
Christine noted that they had taken precautions due to the potential risk of lyssavirus, a virus carried by a small percentage of bats.
Bat safely captured and released outside. Image source: Facebook/Christina Webb
‘There is a small but real chance that they can have lyssavirus,’ Rhiannon Traish-Walker, President of Bats QLD shared, explaining that symptoms only appear once it’s too late.
‘It’s a simple case of if you’re bitten, go to hospital to get those vaccinations. We have a simple rule of no touch, no risk.’
Christine advised against attempting a bat rescue without proper knowledge.
In a previous story, another Aussie household experienced an equally startling encounter when an unexpected visitor made its way inside.
It’s a reminder that no home is completely off-limits to curious wildlife.
Read on to discover what left them questioning their home’s security.
Unexpected wildlife encounters are just part of life in Australia, but have you ever had a surprise visitor in your home? Let us know your story in the comments!
