Bat Issues | Megabats are starving! (flying-foxes) (fruit bats)

This is how you can help?
Flying Foxes are starving.

Bat Issues | Megabats are starving! (flying-foxes) (fruit bats)

We have been flooded with questions on how people can help the bats through this difficult time and here is some information on how to achieve that.

Flying Foxes are fruit and nectar eaters, but due to recent deforestation, development and severe drought, there are not enough food sources in the wild for the bats. By hanging some apples up in your tree you can help support the bats through this tough time, but please read the following information.
We are receiving numerous calls each day about dead bats found across the Gold Coast who have died from starvation, with many other bats reported found on the ground barely alive. Other bats are being seen hanging in food trees during the day. This is unusual behaviour, as normally the bat should be returning to their camp in the morning. However, these bats are so desperate for food, they’re putting themselves at risk and staying out within food trees.

Below are some photos of ‘Apple Kebabs’ they are a super simple and an easy way that you can help provide some food for the bats. This is how we, as bat carers, provide enrichment and food for the bats in care. These can easily be constructed using fencing wire from Bunnings or an old metal coat hanger. Simply thread the apples through the wire, provide some length at each end to create a hook and you have an ‘Apple Kebab’.

The kebabs must be hung in an appropriate place for the bats to access. This can be along the top of a wooden fence or in a tree. You can also attach them to the trunk of your tree using a rope to secure the kebab to. These kebabs MUST be placed at a MINIMUM of 2m high.

PLEASE READ and consider the important following information.

• We do not want to encourage human/bat interaction as these are wild animals and we do not want these animals to become dependent on you for this food, nor do we want the animal to associate humans with food. This can be achieved by sporadically providing this fruit. Do not make this routine, but keep it random.
• If you have dogs or your neighbors have dogs and you DO NOT have bats who naturally visit your garden regularly, then please DO NOT encourage bats into your garden as you will be putting them at risk from a dog attack.
• Bats cannot fly like a bird. They need to first drop and catch the air in order to fly away (like a paraglider). So please ensure you are hanging this fruit at a MINIMUM height of 2m. This allows the bat an escape route to drop and fly away in case they are threatened and need to leave quickly. Additionally, please ensure the bats have the space needed to drop and fly away. DO NOT hang the fruit in a small area that does not allow for this action.
• In order for a bat to climb a surface they need to have purchase on their claws. If they cannot grip with their thumb claw, they will be unable to climb, unable to drop and thus unable to fly away. Please ensure that you are hanging this fruit against a surface that the animal will be able to climb. DO NOT hang the fruit along colourbond fences or faces of smooth structures. Instead hang the fruit within the branches of trees, or a coarse tree trunk or along a wooden fence at a minimum height of 2m.
• While there is no risk from bats visiting your garden, please do not touch the animals. Only trained and vaccinated people should be handling bats.

If a bat appears injured or sick and is failing to leave your property at night, please call our 24hr rescue hotline on 0447222889 and we will send a volunteer to collect the animal.

Thank you to everyone who wants to help these animals.

We are also in desperate need of fruit to help feed all these bat who are coming into care. If you would like to donate fruit please send an email to enquiries@batsqld.org.au or if you would like to donate funds for fruit, please click below or visit our website and follow the links provided.

Thank You.