Your questions answered on flying-foxes

^{Why am I seeing so many flying-foxes if they are threatened?}

Multiple criteria are used to assess whether a species is threatened, including population size and declines in either distribution or numbers. Grey-headed Flying-foxes were listed as a vulnerable species under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in 2001, due to an estimated 30% decline in numbers over the previous 12 years.

The IUCN also predicts that Grey-headed Flying-fox numbers will continue to decline, due to the frequency of events such as extreme heat, droughts and wildfires.

Grey-headed Flying-foxes have a large range through eastern and southern Australia, and it’s estimated there are several hundred thousand individuals across this area. They are a social species and gather when food is available. So while their population overall may have declined in recent times, you can still see thousands of Grey-headed Flying-foxes together in a single camp.

^{Why are there more flying-foxes in Victoria now?}

Flying-foxes can move long distances across their broad range, usually in response to food availability. In recent times, it appears that Grey-headed Flying-fox camps in Victoria have become occupied more permanently, particularly in urban settings.

These areas may provide a continuous and varied food supply, due to the diversity of species planted and tended in towns and cities.

Flying-fox numbers in Victoria also change a lot over time. There may be more flying-foxes in Victoria when local food resources are abundant, or if there are food shortages elsewhere.

^{Why are there flying-foxes in my local park?}

Grey-headed Flying-foxes like to roost together in large camps or colonies. How they choose roost sites is not well understood. Often roost sites contain tall trees and are close to water, but not always. While flying-foxes sometimes roost in native vegetation such as streamside trees, rainforests or mangroves, they also often roost in urban areas, such as town parks or botanic gardens.

Urban areas can contain reliable food for flying-foxes, due to the diversity of non-local and exotic plants grown in parks, roadsides and gardens.

^{When will flying-foxes leave my local area?}

Flying-fox camps may be used all year round, seasonally or only sometimes. The length of time a flying-fox camp is occupied may depend on how much food can be found in the surrounding landscape. Large influxes of flying-foxes are usually associated with big flowering events in native forests, which happen irregularly.

If food resources decline, flying-foxes may move on in search of more food.

^{Why can't flying-foxes be moved on?}

Dispersing or relocating flying-foxes from roost sites is a complex activity and results can be unpredictable. Flying-foxes may return to the camp or shift to unsuitable sites nearby. Dispersals are resource-intensive, involve creating noise and other disturbances every night over weeks or months, are costly, and can cause significant disturbance to nearby residents.

Flying-fox dispersals can have serious implications for animal welfare and can require authorisation under both State and Commonwealth legislation.

^{What can I do about flying-foxes in my backyard?}

Your backyard may attract flying-foxes if it contains flowering or fruiting trees that provide food, such as flowering gums, lilly pilly, fig or other fruit trees. Many people enjoy the spectacle of flying-foxes in their gardens, while their trees are providing important food. It’s not every day you’ll see a threatened species in your backyard.

But if flying-foxes feeding in your backyard is causing you concern, it’s important to remember that they usually only visit when there is food available. So once trees stop flowering or fruiting, the flying-foxes will move on to other areas.

See the Living with flying-foxes page for further information on flying-foxes in your backyard.

^{What do I do if a flying-fox is caught in netting?}

If a flying-fox becomes entangled in netting, do not touch or attempt to remove it yourself. Flying-foxes, like other Australian wildlife, can be natural hosts to diseases that may be transmitted to humans. Only appropriately trained and vaccinated people, wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, should handle flying-foxes. See Flying-foxes and your health for more information.

Call a locally operating wildlife rescuer, foster carer or shelter operator who can send a trained and vaccinated wildlife rescuer to safely remove the animal and take it to a vet for assessment.

To find a local rescue contact near you, call 136 186 or use DEECA’s online Help for injured wildlife tool.

In Victoria, it is illegal to net household fruit trees with netting that has a mesh size greater than 5 mm x 5 mm at full stretch. For information on how to ensure your fruit netting is wildlife-friendly, visit the Living with flying-foxes page.

^{What if I find a flying-fox on the ground?}

If you find a flying-fox on the ground, do not touch or handle it yourself. Flying-foxes, like other wildlife, can be natural hosts to diseases that may be transmitted to humans. Only appropriately trained and vaccinated people, wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment, should handle flying-foxes. Learn more at Flying-foxes and your health.

Call a locally operating wildlife rescuer, foster carer or shelter operator who can send a trained and vaccinated wildlife rescuer to safely collect the animal and take it to a vet for assessment.

To find a wildlife rescuer near you, call 136 186 or use DEECA’s online Help for injured wildlife tool.

If you think the flying-fox is dead, do not touch or handle it. Care is still required if you find a dead flying-fox. Instead, you can check if the animal is dead by gently turning it over with a shovel and gloves, avoiding direct contact. At some times of year, a dead flying-fox may be carrying a pup. If you see a pup, don’t touch it and call a wildlife rescuer to assist.

If you are unsure if the animal is dead, contact a local wildlife rescuer for assistance. To find a local wildlife rescuer, call 136 186 or use the Help for injured wildlife tool.

If the animal is dead, use a shovel and gloves to place the animal in a thick plastic bag, avoiding direct contact. Double bag the carcass and seal for disposal in accordance with your local government by-laws. Dispose of gloves and wash hands thoroughly with warm water and soap. If the animal displayed symptoms of illness prior to dying, report to Agriculture Victoria on the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline 1800 675 888 (24/7).

Council is responsible for removal of dead animals from council-owned or maintained land and properties.

VicRoads is responsible for removal of dead animals on major arterial roads.

See the Living with flying-foxes page for further information on sick, injured or dead flying-foxes.