THE recent downpour has failed to shift the grey-headed flying foxes in Rosalind Park.The Department of Sustainability and Environment said the rain was not an issue when it came to reducing bat population, it was the availability of food.However, a spokeswoman for the DSE said it was unlikely that the flying-foxes would remain in Bendigo permanently. “The flying foxes require a reliable food source,” she said.“There is no recorded history of flying foxes visiting Rosalind Park, so it’s not possible to predict when they will leave. “It’s likely they will leave when their local food sources decline.“But, as they are wild animals, there are no guaran­tees.”She said the numbers of grey-headed flying foxes in Bendigo had been steadily declining over the past two months. “It’s thought they came to Victoria and set up temporary colonies in places like Bendigo, Bacchus Marsh and the Otways in March.“Heavy rain in New South Wales and Queensland had des­troyed their usual food sources. “They are roosting in Ros­alind Park because there is food available locally and the trees provide a suitable roosting site. “This influx of flying foxes into central Victoria is very rare.“It indicates the pressure native animals are facing because of food shortages and humans encroaching on their habitat.”