Flying-foxes being impacted by cold and wet weather

Urgent Notice: WIRES has been taking calls from right across NSW to help with flying-foxes who are feeling the effects of the prolonged wet and cold weather during the last week.

It is absolutely crucial that we get specialist rescuers to any flying-foxes seen out during the day away from their camp as quickly as possible.

If you find a flying-fox on the ground please place a box or towel gently over them and call WIRES 1300 094 737 immediately for help.

Remove any domestic animals from the vicinity.

If you find a Flying Fox or bat of any sort do not handle or attempt to rescue, this is best done by experienced and vaccinated carers.

Flying fox numbers along the east coast of Australia have been declining rapidly.

Decades of Government policy has seen the clearance of the bats' historic habitat right along the coast, and that is why they are now looking for alternative habitat in urban areas.

Flying foxes show great respect for their elders and are the only species which don't reject sick or deformed young. Far from being aggressive, they are timid and very affectionate towards each other. The noise made by flying foxes early in the morning is the sound of mothers calling their young to tell them they are returning.

These animals are valuable to our eco-system. Flying foxes provide a service pollinating our forests. No government could afford to pay for this if the flying fox becomes extinct. The loss of hardwood forests would have serious implications to our economy and our environment.

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