An unlikely rescue for a grey-headed flying fox
It’s not every day that you find a bat hanging out under your BBQ, but this winter one member of public came outside to find just that. For most Victorians the backyard BBQ won’t see much action in the cooler months, however, for one grey flying-fox named Ash, it became a desperate refuge when he couldn’t make it home.
First spotted crawling along the ground of the homeowner’s balcony, this grey-headed flying fox found the closest thing he could cling to for safety, which just so happened to be a BBQ. After almost 14 hours Ash still hadn’t moved to a more suitable roost, so the concerned homeowner called our Emergency Response Service for help.
It is abnormal behaviour to find our flying foxes away from their camps during the day or on the ground no matter what time of year it is – it can be an indication of injury, sickness, heat stress or exhaustion. A specially trained volunteer was quickly dispatched to assess Ash. With no evident injuries, and considering the cooler time of year, he was likely suffering from exhaustion and dehydration.
Unfortunately, this winter we have seen the very urgent effects of climate change on our wildlife happening across the state. Winter is usually a time of plentiful rain and replenished food supplies for our wildlife. However, this year has been one of Victoria’s worst periods of drought on record. Food supplies have been in short supply for all of our native species, forcing them to expand their usual foraging ranges and have found themselves in more heavily urbanised areas. Ash is just one example of how changes in food availability can quickly turn into a life-threatening situation for our wildlife. Being on the ground, or even under a BBQ in this instance, leaves flying foxes at a heightened risk of being predated upon or attacked by household pets.
Once in care with an experienced wildlife rehabilitator, our Travelling Veterinary Service was able to give him a visit to make a full medical assessment and provide Ash with some much-needed fluids. Ash made a quick recovery in care and was released back to the wild just one week later, safe with his colony.
Despite the happy ending for Ash, his future remains uncertain. Grey-headed flying foxes are currently listed on Victoria’s Threatened Flora and Fauna list. They are perhaps one of Victoria’s species that is most vulnerable to climate change, with extreme heat events being incredibly dangerous for our resident colonies. Heat stress in grey-headed flying foxes is becoming even more of a threat as their habitat is increasingly encroached upon - limiting the canopy cover and access to water they need to cool down.
With their populations under threat it is essential we can continue to provide our services to be there when they need us most.
If you ever find a grey-headed flying fox on the ground, displaced or injured please do not touch the animal and call our Emergency Response Service immediately on 03 8400 7300.
Donations doubled!
From now until 12pm Thursday 25th September, EthicalJobs.com.au is matching donations to Wildlife Victoria, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000!
Help us reach this target so that we can continue to provide life-saving emergency care to our native animals during our busiest period of the year. Every dollar counts. Click below to get your donation matched.