On Monday, a Wildlife Rescue South Coast volunteer found a baby flying-fox on its own under a tree in Bomaderry, and made the first local bat rescue of the season.
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The rescue has prompted the wildlife rescue group to remind the community about some do’s and don’ts about handling flying-foxes now the birthing season is here and animals that migrate have joined the local camps while their young are born.
Less than one per cent of flying-foxes and insectivorous bats can carry the Australian Bat Lyssavirus (ABL) however anyone handling them must be vaccinated. The ABL is transmitted through saliva, and not faeces or urine as sometimes reported.
WRSC has urged community members to call the WRSC 24-hour hotline on 0418 427 214 if they are aware of any bat alone during the day, or if one is sighted on powerlines.
Flying-foxes can be entangled in netting loosely placed over fruit crops, and they are found caught by the wing membrane in barbed wire fences.
WRSC has trained and vaccinated flying-fox rescuers from south of Wollongong, to the Southern Highlands and south to the Victorian border.
“The Wildlife Rescue South Coast rescue line is the point of contact for any flying-fox perceived to be in trouble,” WRSC bat coordinator Janine Davies said.
“As infant young are attached to the mother’s nipple up in the armpit area under their wings, they are often not visible.
“A dead adult female flying-fox electrocuted on the powerlines may have an unharmed baby and it is very important that we get to them quickly. Sometimes a shrill whistle up at the bat will elicit a chirruping response from the little one.
“If the phone line is busy, please wait a few minutes and try again as it is busiest time of year now and resources are stretched.
“Please do not touch any flying-fox or microbat but call WRSC for assistance”.
Who is there to help injured flying-foxes?
Endeavour Energy takes responsibility for any animals harmed on their equipment and their staff do everything in their power to get flying-foxes down from powerlines.
WRSC’s vaccinated carers take any live young into care and put them through the group’s targeted release program.
WRSC’s rescuers are also trained to successfully remove the animals off barbed wire without causing more harm to delicate wing membranes.
What to do in an emergency
If you find an entangled animal, please cover the animal with a towel or cloth remembering they can have a long reach and you do not want to get bitten or scratched.
If you find an animal on the ground, please place a washing basket or cardboard box over it and please remember as the animals will be stressed they might perceive anyone trying to help them as a threat and react accordingly.
A point to remember is that if you are bitten or scratched, that the animal will need to be euthanised to enable it to be tested for ABL.
If anyone is bitten or scratched by a flying-fox or microbat, they should immediately wash the area with soap and running water for five minutes then seek immediate medical attention to ascertain whether they need to undergo a course of vaccination.
How you can help volunteers divide their time between helping to rescue, rehabilitate and release native wildlife and other essential support roles. These other roles are in fields including fundraising, public education, publicity, joining the telephone roster and transportation of animals. These support roles are important to the successful functioning of the group and can be very rewarding to the volunteer.
Further details can be found online www.wildlife-rescue.org.au
