Page 89 - Port Douglas Magazine 38

BAT STATS

• The spectacled flying-fox is named after the

distinctive “spectacles” of yellow or orange fur
around its eyes, which resemble eyeglasses.

• Bats are the only flying mammals in the world.
• Flying foxes are very good swimmers and they are
the only species of bat that can open their eyes
underwater.

• Flying foxes cannot take off from flat ground as they
require some height to generate lift using the wind

under their wings. This might be the reason why
they have developed the ability to swim.

• The fact that they can’t take off from the ground is

the reason why the flying fox mothers can’t rescue
their baby when they fall out of the tree.
• When taking their night trip, the flying-foxes

usually fly at a speed of 25 to 30 kilometres per hour.
However, they may speed up to 50 kilometres per
hour, when using fair wind.
• Like humans, they have four fingers and a thumb

which they stretch out when they flap their wings.
• Contrary to what you may think, flying foxes are

very clean animals that are constantly grooming
and cleaning themselves. However, they also
communicate by scent. Odours are used to identify
camp trees, each other, and also to attract mates.

• Australia is home to over 90 different species of bats.
WINGED WONDERS Her property boasts a low-impact visitor centre, education and interpretive HOW YOU CAN HELP SAVE THE BATS
centre, and a bat hospital, where she has taken care of 300 injured bats over
With an endangered species like the flying-foxes, every little life saved is

the past 13 years.
Centre greatly welcomes donations to help pay for veterinary costs.

The mesmerising flight of flying-foxes in Port Douglas “I love flying-foxes dearly and it breaks my heart to see that more and more of important for the recovery of the species. As such, Nightwings Rainforest

their habitat is being taken away from them,” she says. “Twenty years ago the
Volunteers are also welcome to stay at Annie’s property. Accommodation is

skies were black when the bats flew out, sadly that doesn’t happen anymore.” provided for people who don’t live close by.
Words by Jamie Jansen She explained that many pups come into care for many reasons including Kate Koel from Flying-Foxes FNQ hopes to have around ten volunteers set up
electrocution from power lines, dog and cat attacks, malnourishment, tick before the next birthing season in September.
AS THE SUN SETS over Port Douglas, a curious spectacle takes place in the Out of a need for greater information on this species in the area, Kate started a bites, and car strikes.

skies above. Hundreds of bats, known as spectacled flying-foxes, take to the air website called ‘Flying-Foxes FNQ’ with information about this special species. “When a baby bat arrives at our hospital they are assessed for health, hydration, Please note a rabies vaccine is compulsory to work with the bats.
in a dizzying display that leaves both locals and tourists alike in awe. She has also recently finished a report on the spectacled flying-foxes of Port weight and measured to determine their milk requirements.

In Port Douglas, the flying-foxes have become a popular attraction for tourists. Douglas which provides a better understanding on how to take care of a group

As the sun begins to set many parked cars can be seen lining the roadsides with of endangered flying-foxes during their birthing season in a partly urban area. “During the first few days, we have to provide a lot of TLC to these bottle-fed HOW YOU CAN HELP THE BATS
people standing by with their cameras at the ready. “As Australia’s only known long distance pollinators and seed dispersers, flying babies as they miss their mother, which can be quite distressing.

Being creatures of the night, the fruit bats take flight at sunset to indulge in the foxes are considered a keystone species that play a vital role in supporting entire “In general we find the babies in October or November and by the end of April If you wish to volunteer or If you’re interested in helping

sweet nectar, juicy fruits, and fragrant pollen of the surrounding plant life. As ecosystems,” she explains. they should all be released back into nature.” donate to the Centre. to raise baby flying-foxes.

darkness falls, the mesmerising display of flying-foxes begins - soaring out in “In fact, they’re so important that they’ve been listed as one of the top 110 HELPING THE BATS THRIVE Contact Annie on Contact Kate on
unison, creating an awe-inspiring symphony of sound. priority species in the federal government’s Threatened Species Action Plan. 07 4098 7502. 0407 908 967.

But it’s not just the spectacle that draws people in. The flying-foxes themselves And guess what? They’re one of just two animals in Far North Queensland to Annie suggests that to promote the thriving of bats, we should strive to coexist Nightwings is generally not

with them by allowing them to remain in their natural habitat and engage in
are fascinating creatures. They have a wingspan of up to one metre and are earn a spot on this prestigious list - with the Northern Quoll being the other their typical behaviours. open to the public.

incredibly agile in the air. They’re also essential to the ecosystem and the threatened species.

preservation of the rainforest, playing a critical role in pollinating flowers and “Flying-foxes became an endangered species due to habitat clearance, food “Flying-foxes can cause a strong reaction in people as they can be a bit noisy

dispersing seeds shortages and instability, culling, and mass die-off events in the wake of and some see them as nuisance, but it is essential to this species’ population

Unfortunately, the flying-foxes are facing numerous threats, including habitat cyclones and heat waves. recovery that we learn to coexist with wildlife and appreciate the role they play

in healthy ecosystems,” she explains.
loss and climate change. As temperatures rise and habitats are destroyed, the “One single heat event can wipe out one third or more of their population.

bats’ food sources become scarce, leading to starvation and population declines. This is what happened in the Cairns region in 2018 when an estimated 23,000 “When people find a baby bat, they should not touch it and immediately call a

Conservationists in the area are working hard to protect the flying-foxes and spectacled flying foxes perished. wildlife care group like Port Douglas Wildlife Rescue or Far North Queensland
Wildlife Rescue in Cairns.
ensure their survival for future generations. By educating tourists and locals “The flying-foxes are currently very vulnerable. Another heat stress event could

alike about the importance of these creatures and their habitat, they hope to make them functionally extinct.” “It’s also important to note that the carers at the bat hospital pay for all vet bills
raise awareness and drive positive change. themselves, so donations are greatly appreciated.”

NIGHTWINGS RAINFOREST CENTRE So next time you find yourself in Port Douglas, don’t miss the chance to witness To report an injured bat you can call

A KEY SPECIES Annie Schoenberger is the passionate visionary behind Nightwings Rainforest the awe-inspiring display of the flying-foxes at dusk. And remember, it’s up to Port Douglas Wildlife Rescue on 0498 708 263
Meet Kate Koel, a passionate Port Douglas local dedicated to rescuing and Centre, a wildlife-friendly sanctuary just 40 kilometres north of Port Douglas. all of us to protect these fascinating creatures as they are helping us sustain our or FNQ Wildlife Rescue on 07 4053 4467
studying the fascinating flying-foxes that call the area home. Kate knows Her mission is to restore old sugar cane farmland back to complex lowland environment for generations to come.

firsthand just how crucial these winged wonders are to the survival of the rainforest, creating a corridor for wildlife to return to their natural habitat.

precious rainforests in the Wet Tropics region.