RELATED:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
MEMBERS of the Wildlife Rescue and Information Network have defended the 12,000 strong bat colony in Rosalind Park, after a committee described it as ‘more of a plague than a colony.’
Habitat loss and a lack of food have displaced the bats, WRIN spokeswoman Michelle Mead said.
“It isn’t that unusual that they would take up residence here, especially since food and conditions are optimum in this area at the moment,” she said.
Network members said the grey-headed flying foxes would likely leave of their own accord, without the need for persuasion.
“I wouldn’t try anything unless the bats are still here at this time next year and numbers are still increasing,” WRIN vice-president Vicki Fox said.
Story continues below post
The network’s comments come in response to the Rosalind Park Advisory Committee’s recommendations to the City of Greater Bendigo regarding the bat colony.
Cleanliness, odour and potential damage to the park were chief among the committee’s concerns about the spike in the protected species’ population.
The committee suggested that it might be reasonable to scare the bats away from the south end of the park, restricting them to the fernery, to try to lessen their impact.
Story continues below graph
The City of Greater Bendigo has appointed a consultant to create a bat management plan, and has yet to receive a briefing or report to inform any decisions it may wish to make about managing the colony.
“Forward planning is always good,” Mrs Fox said.
But she called on the council to give the bats time to move by themselves.
“As the food supply changes or dwindles it is likely that some members of the camp will move on, but a small colony will probably remain,” Ms Mead added.
“It is incredibly unfortunate that so many misconceptions exist regarding these unique mammals.”
Story continues below graph
She said the unique odour associated with flying foxes originated from the male and was used to mark his territory and attract females for breeding – not as a result of their urine or faeces.
Ms Mead attributed much of the misconception to a myth that bats pose a public health risk.
“The reality is that less than 1 per cent of the flying fixes carry the Lyssa virus,” she said.
“In addition, the only way to contract the virus is direct contact with the saliva of an infected bat.”
“The virus cannot be caught from urine or faeces. There are no known cases of humans catching Hendra virus from bats.”
Ms Fox urged people to call WRIN on 0419 356 433 if they encountered a bat in need of assistance, and not to touch it.