Flying foxes are intelligent, social animals that live in large colonies comprised of individuals and family groups. They are nocturnal animals, sleeping during the day and flying out to feed at dusk. They are essential to the regeneration of Australian native forests and to keep ecosystem healthy through large range seed dispersal.
Flying foxes will roam the regions surrounding their roosts in search of their preferred foods, particularly fruits and blossoms. Usually Flying-foxes camp during breeding seasons near to water bodies where they can get fresh water and makes it easier to find their way back.
Flying foxes are very social animals, using various calls and scents as a form of communication. Flying foxes tend to make the most noise at dawn and dusk, when flying out to feed at night or returning to camp trees to sleep during the day. Flying fox noise increases dramatically when animals are disturbed.
Two species of colonial flying-foxes are known to occur within the Isaac Regional Council area; the black flying foxes (Pteropus alecto) and little red flying-foxes (Pteropus scapulatus).
Little red Flying-foxes are the smallest of the Flying-fox species. They migrate every year to the Isaac region during warm season and prefer to camp near residential areas.
Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABLV)
ABLV is a virus that is similar to rabies that is carried by flying foxes. There are no obvious indicators that a flying fox is carrying the virus, therefore it is best to assume that any flying fox could be infected.
There is no known risk of contracting ABLV from flying foxes flying overhead, contact with flying fox urine or faeces or from partially eaten fruit. Furthermore, there is no significant risk of exposure from living, playing or walking near flying fox roosting areas. ABLV can only be contracted by being bitten or scratched by a carrier flying fox or contact with mucous membranes such as the eyes or nose. If any of these occur, pre- and post-exposure vaccinations are available from Queensland Health.
Hendra virus is an influenza-like virus that humans can contract through physical contact with fluids and mucous membranes of infected horses. There has been one instance of a dog contracting the virus from an infected flying fox however this is not known to be transmissible to humans.
As a precautionary measure, horse owners should not feed or give water to horses beneath trees where flying foxes camp during the day or feed during the evening. Food and water troughs should be covered, and horses should be kept away from flying fox camps and if possible, kept under shelter at night. If Hendra virus is suspected contact a veterinarian as soon as possible and avoid contact with the horse.
Avoiding contact with flying foxes and the use of deterrents in and around the home are the best strategies to further reduce the risk of contracting Hendra virus or ABLV.
1. NEVER DISTURB A FLYING FOX - IT MAKES THE SITUATION WORSE
Do not disturb flying foxes resting during the day. Day time harassment distresses the flying foxes and weakens them. This affects their ability to migrate, actually prolonging their stay. It’s in everyone’s best interest to keep flying foxes rested by minimising noise and disturbance in the area.
2. THEY ARE IN MY YARD OR AROUND TOWN
If you have flying foxes roosting in your trees or if you see them foraging or roosting in town, you can contact Council for advice. Our Environment and Biodiversity Team are experienced in flying fox management and the relevant legislation.
3. WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT?
Little red flying foxes are a protected species. Flying foxes are vital pollinators for our native flora. Without flying foxes our bushland would be vastly different. Their ability to travel long distances when feeding or migrating means the widespread dispersal of seeds and pollen across the Australian landscape, often far greater than our insect or bird pollinators.
4. MINIMISE IMPACT TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
- Consider non-harmful deterrents in your backyard to minimise the possibilities of flying fox roosting. For example:
- Placing predator decoys (e.g owls) on verandas or in trees;
- Trimming food or habitat trees in your yard;
- Placing reflective or shiny deterrents (e.g CDs or aluminium foil strips) in tree branches; or,
- When landscaping, plant fruit or habitat trees away from the home
- Keep children at a safe distance ‘watch but do not touch’
- Provide shelter for your pets and horses at night and keep their food and water sources covered if possible. If your dog or cat eats or bites a dead or live flying fox, take them directly to the vet.
- To avoid flying fox droppings, bring your washing in at night and park your car underneath shelter
- If possible, consider closing up the sides of buildings facing flying fox colonies or utilise sound proofing materials in/on walls and windows
5. BITTEN OR SCRATCHED BY A FLYING FOX?
If you have been bitten or scratched by a flying fox, seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Dial 000 (112 from mobile phones) and follow directions
Or call Queensland Health on 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)
6. REMOVING DEAD FLYING-FOXES
It is important to remember that handling bats carries specific risks for human health, and people should never touch Flying-foxes without immunisations and appropriate protective equipment.
As the landowner, you can remove the dead flying fox yourself if you follow these simple safety steps:
- Do not directly touch the flying fox
- Make sure the flying fox is dead (if the animal is alive, do not touch and contact 1300 ANIMAL to speak to a wildlife carer)
- Wear thick gloves and use a shovel or tongs to remove the flying fox and place it in a plastic bag
- You can dispose of the flying fox in the plastic bag in your general rubbish wheelie bin, or transfer it to your local landfill
For detailed information regarding flying foxes and human health, visit Queensland Government and Biosecurity Queensland.
Flying-foxes are protected under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. Every year Isaac regional council monitor flying-foxes camps/ roosts throughout the region.
The management of flying-fox roost sites is governed by strong state and federal rules. In order to deter flying foxes in specific area, these regulations must be followed by local council and private landowners. Harming or Killing Flying-foxes without a permit can result in fines and a possible prison sentence under Queensland legislation.
To fully comprehend the duties and commitments of council and private landowner with relation to the management of flying fox roosts, please refer to the Statement of Management Intent (SOMI)(PDF, 271KB). As mentioned in SOMI, Isaac Regional Council is responsible for the management of flying fox roosts only on the land owned and managed by Isaac Regional Council.
According to Queensland Government’s Authorised flying fox management, if private landowners are concerned about managing flying foxes into their backyards, they can apply for a permit to the Department of Environment and Science website or by contacting them on 13 QGOV (13 74 68).
Please refer to the Code of practice – Ecologically sustainable management of flying fox roost for more information regarding the Flying-fox management activities that can be undertaken for flying-fox roosts management on your land.
For more information call 1300 ISAACS (1300 472 227).
Every year Hoods Lagoon at Clermont becomes a chosen roost for thousands of Little Red Flying Foxes during their annual migration through the Isaac Region.
In 2022 Council was awarded $28,000 under the Department of Environment and Science’s 2021-24 Flying-Fox Roost Management in Queensland Program (FFRMQP) to develop a flying fox management plan to manage impacts of the Hoods Lagoon flying-fox roost, whilst ensuring flying-foxes and their ecological services are conserved and community well-being is preserved.
The plan was developed by environmental consultants, Ecosure, in accordance with the Nature Conservation Act 1992 ‘Code of Practice- Ecologically sustainable management of flying-fox roosts'. The plan underwent consultation in December 2022 and July 2023 where significant community input was received.
The Management Plan provides a best-practice approach to the management of Hoods Lagoon based on a site-specific analysis of flying fox management techniques. A total of 21 short and long term management actions are recommended across the following management themes:
- Education and awareness programs
- Operational / property modification
- Subsidy program
- Routine roost management
- Habitat improvement
- Research
- Appropriate land-use planning
- Buffers through vegetation removal
- Buffers without vegetation removal
- Roost monitoring
While the holistic delivery of the plan will be dependent on securing appropriate funding sources, the plan provides a best-practice technical basis for decision making regarding management options and works at the roost site in to the future.
The Management Plan was adopted by Council at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 28 September 2023.
To download a copy of the Hood’s Lagoon Flying Fox Management Plan please click here(PDF, 13MB).
Sick Flying Foxes
Local Veterinarian or The Royal Society for the prevention of cruelty to Animals Queensland (RSPCA Qld) –
1300 ANIMAL (1300 264 625)
Injured Flying Foxes
Central Highlands Wildlife Carers 0475 288 301
Australian Wildlife Rescue Service (Mackay) 0447 543 268
Domestic Animals
Local Veterinarian
State Government Websites
Queensland Health: Hendra and Lyssa virus
Department of Environment and Science: Flying Foxes
Department of Agriculture and Fisheries: Flying Foxes and Hendra Virus
For latest Flying Fox news click here