FAQ

Flying-foxes feed on the nectar and pollen of native flowers and fruits. As a result, they benefit the health of vegetation by spreading seeds and pollinating native plants.

There are 34 flying-fox camps in the Clarence Valley, of which eight camps are subject to management. See the map below to learn where they are:

There are three species of flying-fox that can be found in the Clarence Valley. They travel large distances across Australia. Visit the National Flying-fox Monitoring Viewer to learn about camp monitoring, and see below for the distribution of the species.

Three species of flying-fox occur in New South Wales.

Grey-headed flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) have a rusty reddish-coloured collar, grey head and hairy legs.

Black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto) are almost completely black in colour with a slight rusty red-coloured collar and a brush of silvery grey on its belly.

Little red flying-foxes (Pteropus scapulatus) are the smallest Australian flying-fox and has reddish brown-coloured fur.

For more information on identification download the Flying-fox Identification fact sheet. More information and distribution maps can be found at the NSW Government website.

NSW Government state that "The Flying-fox Camp Management Policy 2015 empowers land managers, primarily local councils, to work with their communities to manage flying-fox camps effectively. The main purpose of this policy is to minimise health and amenity impacts of flying-fox camps on people at the same time as avoiding unnecessary harm to flying-foxes."

Land managers, such as Clarence Valley Council, can then develop a camp management plan to record how a flying-fox camp (or a number of camps) will be managed, by addressing management options, flying-fox ecology, case studies of camp management and information about health issues.

Most attempts at camp dispersal have failed. Relocating flying-foxes is expensive and rarely provides a lasting solution. There is no way of knowing where flying-foxes will go when disturbed from a camp, if they move at all. There are risks that flying-foxes will form a camp in a more problematic location or return to the same location in the future. For these reasons, the best thing to do is manage the camp where it is. It is also illegal to move grey-headed flying-foxes due to them being threatened.

The NSW Government has produced a range of excellent resources designed to assist residents that live near a flying-fox camp and reduce conflicts, including the Living with grey-headed flying-foxes brochure.

Call Wildlife Rescue 1300 094 737 (WIRES) or go online:

https://www.wires.org.au/rescue/report-a-rescue 

Experienced, trained handlers will advise what should be done to assist the flying-fox.

Please note that flying-foxes can carry disease and so you should not touch the flying-fox. Wait for trained handlers to assist.

If you find a deceased flying-fox, dispose of it safely. Visit the news feed item Do you have dead bats in your yard to learn more.

Heat stress affects flying-foxes when temperatures reach 42°C or more and occurs when the body produces more heat than it can dissipate. The NSW Government website has excellent information on how to handle heat stress - view their Responding to heat stress in flying-fox camps page.

If you believe that there has been a compliance issue occurring near a flying-fox camp or to individual flying-foxes, please direct your report to the NSW Government Environment Line (131 555).