Importance of Flying-foxes
Flying-foxes are what is known as a ‘keystone’ species due to their long-distance, nocturnal pollinating and seed dispersal activities. A keystone species is defined as an organism whose removal would cause a major disruption to the structure and function of its ecosystem. In fact, many of Australia’s native forests depend on bats for pollination and germination, and without bats many of our native trees such as Eucalypts would be under serious threat of extinction.
Cool Facts about Flying-foxes
Did you know:
- Bats (Order Chiroptera) make up approximately 25% of all living mammalian species on the planet!
- Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight (as opposed to gliding or parachuting)
- Australia is home to approximately 90 species of bats
- Bats include microbats and megabats (flying-foxes are classed as megabats)
- Microbats control insect numbers by eating around 40% of their body weight in insects each night
- Flying-foxes are super pollinators, and the largest type of bats in the world
- Many species of eucalypt only produce nectar at night and are entirely dependent on flying-foxes for reproduction
Health Concerns
Bats have a bad reputation for spreading disease and are what’s known as a zoonotic vector – an animal capable of transmitting diseases to other species. Australian bats are natural reservoirs for Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV), a fatal disease in humans. The disease is contracted via the saliva of an infected bat being passed to a human through a bite or scratch, or entering the eyes, nose or mouth. ABLV does not survive outside a bat or in a dead bat for very long especially in dry environments or after exposure to sunlight. Contact with bat faeces, urine or blood does not pose a risk of exposure to ABLV, nor does living, playing, or walking near bat roosting areas. However, if you come in contact with bat faeces or urine hand washing is essential to protect against other diseases. There is no evidence to suggest ABLV is spread by eating fruit partially eaten by a bat.
Despite their reputation, very few people have died from ABLV. If you think you have been potentially exposed, please contact your local doctor or nearest public health unit or the 13 HEALTH information line (13 43 25 84).
Threats to Flying-foxes
The main threats to Flying-foxes are from:
- Clearing vegetation, resulting in inappropriate roosting habitat and limited availability of natural food supplies
- Flying-fox camp disturbances and dispersal
- Risk of entanglement and death in tree netting or on barbed-wire, and electrocution on powerlines
- Heat stress events
What to do if you find a bat
Do not touch bats, even if they are injured. Only rabies-vaccinated people who are experienced in handling bats and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) should handle, rescue or examine a bat. Instead, call a trained handler at RSPCA (1300 ANIMAL), Department of Environment and Science (1300 130 372), or local wildlife care groups.
