Unlike many other native animals that get coverage through documentaries and news stories on TV, flying-foxes get little or no exposure, certainly not positive anyway, despite living very close to us, connecting us to the wild in our towns and cities. When they are in trouble, they die alone and publicly on our powerlines, fences and in our gardens. The future of flying-foxes depends on our willingness to share our neighbourhoods with them. We can coexist with respect and understanding. Please keep safe and don’t handle any bats. There is not need to worry about them – just enjoy the spectacle they provide in your neighbourhood.

Have You Found a Flying-fox or Bat?

This is some important information if you find a bat or flying-fox in trouble. Any bat on its own on or near the ground during the day is in trouble.

• SEEK HELP immediately
• DO NOT TOUCH bats
• If a bat bites or scratches you, it will have to be destroyed to be tested for diseases
• Do not risk your health or life – only vaccinated, trained people should handle bats. All frightened or injured wildlife are likely to bite or scratch people trying to touch them. please keep other people and your pets away from the animal
• If possible, place a washing basket over the animal, if it is on the ground
• If you see a bat hanging on powerlines or find a bat caught on a fence or in netting, please contact Bat Care Brisbane or the RSPCA immediately

Risk of disease:

• Despite some media hype in recent years, the Australian Lyssavirus is very rare and not all bats have it – less than 0.5% of the total bats in Australia may have it at any one time. The virus can be transmitted  by a deep bite to nerve tissue or a deep scratch from an infected animal
• If bitten or scratched by a bat, wash the wound very well with soap and warm water for at least 10 minutes and then seen professional medical advice
• The Hendra virus can only be contracted from horses. It is not conclusive that the bat type Hendra virus is the same as the horse type Hendra virus. It is still unknown where, how and why horses get Hendra virus

Please DO NOT KILL any bats, whatever your opinion of them, or however bad a bat may be injured or sick. All bats are protected species. It is illegal to harm bats and all native wildlife, and heavy fines are issued to anyone killing bats.

If you find an injured or sick flying fox or any bat, please contact the Bat Rescue Hotline urgently on 0488 228 134 and for more info please visit www.bats.org.au