Hanging out: The Goulburn Broken catchment is home to two flying fox species — the little red flying fox (pictured) and the grey-headed flying fox.
Photo by
Steve Wilson
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority has launched an initiative off its own bat in 2024.
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‘Year of the Wing’ is CMA's community awareness campaign celebrating the birds and the bats.
Each month, the organisation showcases a different native species of the Goulburn Broken catchment, providing information on how to care for these winged creatures and participate in catchment activities.
During May, the focus is on bringing megabats from darkness to light.
One particular species of megabat is the flying fox, also known as the fruit bat.
Equipped with cute, fuzzy faces, large eyes and a sharp sense of smell, flying foxes journey up to 80km nightly in search of food.
Hey batta batta: The grey-headed flying fox is under threat, largely due to habitat loss.
Photo by
Steve Wilson
Food availability dictates their habitats and movements.
Goulburn Broken CMA project officer Janice Mentiplay-Smith said the catchment was home to two flying fox species: the grey-headed flying fox and the little red flying fox.
The grey-headed flying fox is one of the largest bats in the world, weighing up to a kilogram and having a wingspan of up to a metre.
“Bats are the only mammals capable of sustained flight; they are amazing ‘mammals of the air’ and play a very important role in the ecosystem,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
That said, it’s not just the birds and the bees pollinating plants in the region.
“Flying foxes are major pollinators of eucalypts; without them, the composition of Australia’s forests would be very different,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“During the feeding process, they transfer pollen from tree to tree, spreading the gene pool and enhancing the tree’s survival capability.
“Because they are integral to seed dispersal and pollination, the rapid decline in flying fox populations is very concerning as this will affect the long-term survival of our unique eucalypt forest and rainforest ecosystems.”
Furry friends: A camp of grey-headed flying foxes roosting.
Photo by
Steve Wilson
Habitat loss, including destruction, heat stress and disturbances at roost sites by humans and pets, is a major threat to flying foxes.
When their natural habitat is destroyed, they are forced to seek a home where they can, opting to crowd into confined urban areas and gardens.
Ms Mentiplay-Smith said this could be “unpopular with the human residents” — no-one wants their home to turn into the Batcave.
However, it’s vital to our ecosystem to take measures not to harm the nocturnal visitors.
“Barbed wire is deadly for a flying fox,” Ms Mentiplay-Smith said.
“Once caught on a barbed wire fence, it generally cannot escape and suffers a prolonged death.
“Should it manage to free itself, its torn wing membranes render it unable to fly, meaning it cannot feed and escape predators.”
Similarly, ‘wildlife unfriendly’ fruit tree netting results in entanglement, injuries and death for the flying fox.
Ms Mentiplay-Smith recommends using fruit tree netting with a mesh size of less than 5mm and ensuring it’s taut and firmly secured to the ground.
“(Additionally,) try to purchase white netting only, as this is more visible to animals at night,” she said.
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