‘He loved that little bat’: Richard Morecroft’s passion for wildlife rescue praised in tributes

Tributes are being paid to the late Australian news anchor Richard Morecroft, who was well-known for his dedicated wildlife rescue work. Morecroft famously fostered an orphaned flying fox named Archie, which became the subject of a documentary.
Why it matters
The story serves as a human-interest piece highlighting the personal passions of a public figure and his contributions to wildlife advocacy.
ABC newsreader Richard Morecroft holds Archie, an orphaned baby flying fox who he fostered, as featured in the 1989 documentary film Raising Archie. Photograph: ABC ABC newsreader Richard Morecroft holds Archie, an orphaned baby flying fox who he fostered, as featured in the 1989 documentary film Raising Archie. Photograph: ABC Australian media ‘He loved that little bat’: Richard Morecroft’s passion for wildlife rescue praised in tributes Former ABC presenter, who died aged 70 after a cancer diagnosis, kept an infant flying fox tucked under his shirt
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Nick Visser Wed 7 Oct 2026 07.45 BST Last modified on Wed 7 Oct 2026 07.47 BST Share Prefer the Guardian on Google “There’s a small, furry animal, wrapped up in a handkerchief, keeping warm inside my shirt.”
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