Did you know Geelong hosts a nationally significant camp of grey-headed flying foxes?
Located in Eastern Park, the camp is home to several thousand flying foxes that roost there. This number fluctuates in response to available food across their range, but during summer, more than 10,000 individuals are often seen.
The grey-headed flying fox – also known as fruit bats – is a threatened species making it more special that the City hosts this important camp.
Flying foxes are very popular with the Geelong community and many enjoy visiting the camp to watch them fly out in the evening as they disperse across the night sky in search of food.
They feed on the nectar, pollen and fruit of native plants, and play an important role in pollination and seed dispersal in our native bush. They also feed on flowering and fruiting plants in gardens and orchards.
Flying foxes breed from September to March, with female bats carrying and feeding their young – called pups – for several months. Both mothers and pups are particularly vulnerable during this period.
Eastern Park currently has a large number of mothers and pups. The pups can be seen clinging to their mothers as the pairs hang upside down in nursery trees.
They face several threats including habitat destruction, failing food sources, extreme heat events and disturbance. They can also be caught in illegal fruit netting.
To support the flying foxes, the City is installing an irrigation system to help cool them during extreme heat days. This work will be completed in 2025.
Dedicated volunteer wildlife carers monitor the colony and care for sick and injured bats, particularly on days of extreme heat. They have recently formed a new environment group called Bats of Geelong.
Sick or injured flying foxes can be reported to Wildlife Victoria by calling 03 8400 7300. They will send a vaccinated, trained wildlife rescuer to assist. Community members are warned not to touch or handle bats.
You can do your bit to look after flying foxes in your backyard by ensuring you use wildlife friendly netting when covering your fruit trees, with mesh smaller than 5 mm x 5 mm, or by covering select branches with bags or sleeves rather than netting the whole tree.
Unfortunately, a small number of people have deliberately disturbed the bats at Eastern Park by making loud noises including cars backfiring.
When adult flying foxes are disturbed, they may fly away and, in their distress, can lose their pups. Sadly, abandoned pups often do not survive. Community members can help by educating others about the dangers of this behaviour.
Executive Director of City Infrastructure James Stirton
It’s astonishing to think such an exceptional species like the grey-headed flying fox has set up a camp within walking distance of central Geelong. It goes to show how our city is not just a home for us, but for our cherished wildlife as well.
Grey-headed flying foxes are among our most vulnerable species and current rates of habitat loss and warming temperatures are testing their ability to adapt in such a rapidly changing environment. They need our help to ensure they have places where they can live, feed and grow with minimal interference.