Follow us in our mission to protect and rehabilitate wildlife at Bats of Geelong Wildlife Shelter Inc!
Follow us in our mission to protect and rehabilitate wildlife at Bats of Geelong Wildlife Shelter Inc!
Your support and contributions will enable us to protect one of Geelong's local threatened species. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
You can make a direct donation:
Bendigo Bank
Bats of Geelong Wildlife Shelter Inc
BSB 633 000
Account No: 224 348 177
Or click on the PayPal link below.
Thank you
Bats of Geelong is a registered charity that in the rescue and rehabilitation of the endangered Grey-headed flying fox. We care for injured, sick, and orphaned flying foxes from the Geelong, Bellarine, Surf Coast, and surrounding regions. The shelter also cares for some other species such as native ducks. As a DEECA licensed wildlife shelter, we have a team of dedicated volunteers who advocate for the conservation of flying foxes and wildlife in our region.
At times we also take in lost companion birds
Please reach us at info@batsofgeelong.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
We focus on the rescue and care of the Grey-headed flying fox and may also occasionally take other species depending on the demand.
If you come across a flying fox or microbat that appears injured, sick, or orphaned, it’s important to follow specific steps to ensure its safety — and yours. Here’s what you should do:
It’s essential to remember not to touch or handle the bat yourself. Bats can carry diseases that are only safely managed by trained, vaccinated wildlife rescuers. Handling a bat without the proper training and vaccinations can put both you and the bat at risk.
If it’s safe to do so, you can gently place a box or towel over the bat to keep it calm and protected while you wait for help. Be sure to avoid direct contact — simply place the cover over the bat to shield it from potential dangers, like predators or passing vehicles.
Call a trained and vaccinated wildlife rescuer to provide safe and proper care for the bat. Two organizations that offer support for bats in need are:
Both organizations work closely with bat specialists and will reach out to experienced rescuers who can assess the situation and provide any necessary medical treatment.
By following these steps, you’re helping ensure the best possible outcome for the bat while keeping yourself safe. Thank you for helping protect these important and vulnerable members of our ecosystem
Flying foxes are incredibly important to Australia’s ecosystems. These large fruit bats play a crucial role in keeping forests healthy, diverse, and resilient. Here’s why they’re so vital:
Flying foxes are key pollinators, especially for native Australian trees like eucalypts, melaleucas, and banksias. Unlike bees, which mostly operate during the day, flying foxes are nocturnal and pollinate at night. As they feed on nectar and pollen from flowers, they transfer pollen from tree to tree, helping plants reproduce. Many trees depend specifically on flying foxes for pollination, especially in regions where other pollinators are scarce or where the trees are spread out over wide areas.
Pollination by flying foxes helps ensure the genetic diversity and health of forests, which is essential for the plants to adapt to changes in their environment, including climate change.
Flying foxes can travel up to 50 kilometers in a single night, which makes them exceptional long-distance seed dispersers. As they consume fruit, they carry seeds in their mouths or drop them through their digestive system, spreading them over large areas. This is crucial for forest regeneration, as seeds are dispersed far from the parent tree, reducing competition and giving them a better chance to grow.
Their wide-ranging travel means they help link isolated patches of forest and support plant diversity over large areas. This seed dispersal keeps ecosystems interconnected and resilient, helping plants recolonize and survive even in fragmented habitats.
Flying foxes’ roles as pollinators and seed dispersers support natural reforestation. They help forests recover after events like bushfires, storms, or land clearing by enabling the regrowth of native trees and plants. Their work encourages a mix of plant species, creating biodiversity-rich environments that can better withstand diseases, pests, and environmental stressors.
In areas hit hard by climate change, flying foxes help forests adapt by moving plant species to new areas where the conditions are more favorable. This "climate adaptation" dispersal makes flying foxes particularly valuable as Australia’s landscape changes.
Flying foxes indirectly support many other species that rely on forests for food, shelter, and breeding grounds. The trees and plants that flying foxes pollinate or help disperse provide habitats and food sources for birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects.
Without flying foxes, forest ecosystems could begin to decline, leading to fewer food sources and habitats for countless other animals. A loss in biodiversity can make ecosystems more fragile, increasing the risk of collapse or reduced ecosystem functions.
By maintaining healthy, biodiverse forests, flying foxes contribute to natural pest control. Diverse ecosystems with healthy plant and animal populations can better regulate pest species naturally, reducing the need for pesticides in nearby agricultural areas. This helps farmers, protects crops, and minimizes the spread of pests to urban and suburban areas.
Flying foxes are sensitive to environmental changes, making them valuable indicators of ecosystem health. When flying fox populations decline or are forced to relocate, it often signals problems in their habitats, like habitat destruction, pollution, or food shortages. By monitoring their behavior and health, scientists and conservationists can gather insights into the health of forests and make more informed decisions about protecting ecosystems.
Losing flying foxes would have ripple effects across ecosystems, leading to a decline in forest regeneration, biodiversity, and overall ecosystem resilience. This loss would affect not only plants and animals but also humans who rely on healthy forests for clean air, water, and other resources.
Protecting flying foxes means safeguarding the ecological processes that sustain Australia’s natural landscapes. Their continued survival is essential for a thriving, diverse environment that can support future generations of both wildlife and humans
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Bats often get a bad reputation in movies and folklore, portrayed as creatures of the night with a spooky aura. However, in reality, bats are fascinating, gentle, and vital creatures that play essential roles in our ecosystems. Let’s clear up some common misconceptions about bats and explain why there’s really no reason to fear them!
One of the most persistent myths about bats is that they’re out to bite or attack humans. But bats actually avoid people whenever possible! They are typically shy and reclusive animals. In fact, they have a strong aversion to human contact and are far more likely to flee than confront anyone.
Most bats are insectivores, which means they are far more interested in eating bugs than bothering people. Others, like flying foxes, eat fruit and nectar and spend their time high in the treetops, away from people.
Bats play a vital role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems around the world. Some bat species, like fruit bats and flying foxes, are pollinators, helping spread pollen as they feed on nectar. This benefits countless plants, including ones that produce fruits and other resources we rely on.
Insect-eating bats are natural pest controllers, eating mosquitoes, beetles, moths, and other insects that can damage crops or spread diseases. A single bat can eat thousands of insects in just one night, helping farmers reduce the need for chemical pesticides and improving crop yields naturally. Without bats, we would likely see an increase in insect populations, including pests.
Bats are highly intelligent and social. Many species live in complex social structures, where they groom each other, communicate through a variety of sounds, and form strong bonds with their family members. They also demonstrate sophisticated behaviors, such as problem-solving and cooperative foraging.
Some bats even "babysit" each other’s young, showing strong community instincts. Research has found that bats have unique personalities and can form long-term friendships within their colonies. Far from being solitary or spooky, they’re actually highly social animals that enjoy companionship and cooperate to survive.
While bats can carry some diseases, they are rarely a direct threat to people. The misconception that bats are dangerous because of diseases largely comes from the fact that they share certain pathogens that have crossed into human populations. However, these pathogens are only transmissible through direct contact, and bats do not seek out humans, so they don’t pose much of a risk.
In fact, handling bats or disturbing them is discouraged specifically because it reduces any potential risk. Bats play such an important role in our ecosystems that, with a bit of distance and respect, there’s no reason to worry about them as a health threat.
A close look at a bat’s face can reveal just how adorable they are! Many species have large eyes, expressive faces, and even fluffy fur. Flying foxes and fruit bats have faces that resemble little foxes, with big eyes and pointy ears. If we took away the myths surrounding bats, we’d see they’re no different from other animals we consider cute, like squirrels or rabbits.
With their roles in pollination, seed dispersal, and insect control, bats are true environmental superheroes. Their actions help create and sustain forests, protect crops, and even contribute to the health of coral reefs by pollinating trees and plants that support coastal ecosystems.
In tropical forests, for instance, fruit bats disperse seeds over large areas, promoting forest regeneration and biodiversity. Many plants, including bananas, avocados, and mangoes, depend on bats for pollination. Without bats, we would see a decline in these important plants and the ecosystems that rely on them.
Bats are often misunderstood creatures that have been unfairly cast as symbols of fear. In reality, they are gentle, intelligent animals with a lot to offer. Their roles in pest control, pollination, and maintaining biodiversity make them indispensable to our environment. With a little knowledge, we can appreciate bats for the unique and valuable animals they are and put aside the unnecessary fears.
Bats deserve our admiration, respect, and protection, not fear! The next time you see a bat flitting through the sky at dusk, you can appreciate it as one of nature’s remarkable and harmless creaturesnswer to this item.
The grey-headed flying fox is a threatened species and an essential part of Australia’s ecosystem, especially in areas like Geelong. This species faces challenges such as habitat loss, food shortages, and human-related dangers. Here are ways the public can help protect and support grey-headed flying foxes in Geelong:
One of the biggest challenges flying foxes face is finding sufficient food sources. Planting native flowering and fruiting trees like eucalypts, melaleucas, and bottlebrushes can provide essential food for flying foxes, especially in urban areas where natural resources are scarce.
If you have a garden, consider planting a few native trees to offer them a natural food source. Avoiding the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides is also crucial, as these can be harmful to flying foxes and other wildlife.
If you have fruit trees, use wildlife-safe netting to prevent flying foxes and other animals from getting entangled. Safe netting has a small enough mesh that animals cannot get caught but is large enough to protect your fruit. Avoid barbed wire or tightly woven nets, which are hazardous for bats. Alternatively, pick fruit as soon as it ripens to reduce the attraction for flying foxes.
Flying foxes can be injured by powerlines, netting, and even heat stress. If you find an injured, sick, or orphaned flying fox, it’s important not to handle it yourself. Instead:
Local conservation groups work tirelessly to protect flying foxes and their habitats. Donating to or volunteering with organizations like Wildlife Victoria, Bats of Geelong Wildlife Shelter Inc, or local conservation groups in Geelong can make a big difference. These groups run rescues, educational programs, and habitat restoration projects that directly benefit flying fox populations.
Flying foxes often face negative perceptions, so spreading awareness about their ecological importance can help shift public opinion. Educate family, friends, and neighbors on the crucial roles flying foxes play in pollination and seed dispersal and how we can coexist with them safely. By changing attitudes and building empathy for these animals, communities can foster more positive and proactive support for flying foxes.
Flying foxes are nocturnal, and artificial lights can disrupt their natural behaviours, including feeding and navigation. If you live near known flying fox habitats, reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting, especially during the night when they are most active. Motion-sensor lights or shaded lighting can also help minimize the disruption.
One of the most effective ways to support grey-headed flying foxes is by advocating for the protection and restoration of their natural habitats. You can participate in or support efforts to conserve green spaces and riverbank habitats in the Geelong area. Writing to local government officials, joining conservation campaigns, or supporting habitat restoration projects are all ways you can help.
Flying foxes can suffer from extreme heat, especially when temperatures rise above 40°C. During heatwaves, you might see distressed flying foxes seeking water or cooling off near shaded areas. If you encounter flying foxes struggling with heat, keep your distance and notify wildlife rescuers, who may have protocols to help.
By making small changes and supporting local conservation efforts, Geelong residents can play a significant role in protecting grey-headed flying foxes and ensuring they continue to thrive.er to this item.
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