There were about 12,000 bats when the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning conducted a count as part of its national census on Friday.

The bat population came to about 5000 during a count about a month ago, City of Greater Bendigo parks and natural reserves manager Debbie Wood said. 

But it’s still about 20,000 winged guests shy of the record numbers residing in the park in 2010. 

Ms Wood said there was nothing the city could do about the colony’s numbers, for the moment.

The bats are a protected species. 

The city is in the process of engaging a consultant to further explore its options. 

Ms Wood said arborists were monitoring the condition of the trees in which the bats were living.

While damage has yet to be of concern, the risk rises the longer the bats reside in the trees..