(Pteropus spp. and microbat species)
Australia is home to large flying foxes (fruit bats) and tiny insect-eating microbats. Flying foxes play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal. Both species are nocturnal and highly sensitive to stress.
Australia is home to large flying foxes (fruit bats) and tiny insect-eating microbats. Flying foxes play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal. Both species are nocturnal and highly sensitive to stress.
🧐 When People Encounter Bats
Common situations include:
- A bat caught in netting, barbed wire, or fruit tree mesh
- A flying fox electrocuted on powerlines
- Injured or grounded bats on paths, roads, or in yards
Image: WIRES Wildlife Rescue
🛑 What To Do
- Do not touch or attempt to rescue a bat or flying fox yourself
Bats can carry the Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV), which is potentially fatal to humans - Keep pets and people away from the animal
- Call Wildlife Rescue Australia immediately — only vaccinated, trained rescuers should handle bats
- If a bat is entangled in netting, keep it calm by loosely covering it with a towel until help arrives
⚠️ Important to Know
Even friendly-looking or motionless bats can scratch or bite if handled. Delaying a rescue can result in death from heat stress, injury, or predation.
🌱 Why This Matters
Flying foxes are essential pollinators for native trees and rainforest ecosystems. Bats face increasing threats from habitat loss, heatwaves, and urban hazards like netting, wires, and roadways.
🔍 References:
- WIRES Wildlife Rescue. (2024). Flying Foxes and Microbats. Retrieved from: https://www.wires.org.au/wildlife-info/flying-foxes-and-bats
- NSW Health. (2023). Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV). Retrieved from: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/infectious/factsheets/Pages/bat-lyssavirus.aspx
- Australian Museum. (2024). Bats and Flying Foxes. Retrieved from: https://australian.museum/learn/animals/mammals/bats-and-flying-foxes/
Image sourced from Sidneybats.org.au
