“Flying-foxes are of tremendous global importance due to their vital roles as pollinators of respective ecosystems, seed dispersers, and bio-indicators. Their unique ability to regenerate forest from previously cleared or burnt land provide Australia’s natural ecosystems a secret weapon against climate change.”

• Bat Conservation & Rescue Queensland

Adult flying-foxes and pups come into care for many reasons including electrocution from powerlines, dog and cat attacks, injury from being caught in fruit netting, malnourishment, tick bites, and car strike. It is then that these animals may get a second chance with the help of vaccinated, and trained community members- who are predominantly unpaid volunteers.

It is a team effort to care for these animals with assistance coming from rescuers, short and long- term carers and local vet nurses and veterinarians.

Indirectly help can look like many things from liaising with levels of government, working to strengthen related laws of protection, adopting a local colony to keep an eye on, fundraising, or in the making of the unique pillows and wraps used with flying-foxes in care.

Some groups and organisations working to help flying-foxes in FNQ include: Port Douglas Wildlife Rescue, FNQ Wildlife Rescue, Wet Tropics Wildlife Rescue, the Tolga Bat Hospital, the Bats & Trees Society of Cairns (BATSOC), BatReach Kuranda, and the Cairns and Far North Environment Centre (CAFNEC).

Please do not touch or attempt to rescue the bat. Only people trained and Rabies vaccinated should handle bats.

A small proportion of flying-foxes and other bat species may carry Australian Bat Lyssa Virus. The virus is very rare, and if an animal is infected, they will soon die.

If you adopt the simple mantra, No Touch, No Risk- you will be in no danger.

If you see a flying-fox or bat in trouble, call your local wildlife rescue group.