Illegal backyard netting putting Geelong bats at risk

Council has expressed concern about the number of endangered bats needing care as Geelong flying foxes contend with a number of challenges. Here’s how you can help.

Leila Merritt, a wildlife volunteer, is helping to look after 40 flying foxes. Picture: Mark Wilson

Flying foxes in Geelong’s Eastern Park are suffering malnutrition and falling from trees amid a food shortage and concern around illegal netting.

Council says there has been a concerning increase in the number of grey-headed flying foxes requiring care since around October, with about 200 found dead or needing help due to malnutrition and falling from their roost trees.

The City of Greater Greater has ramped up efforts to save the second-largest colony in Victoria.

Weak and malnourished pups are easily disturbed, falling to the ground and becoming prey to a wide range of predators.

Trained wildlife volunteers have been monitoring the bat colony have rescued many sick and injured bats.

The rise in malnutrition has been attributed to a critical food shortage in the region.

Climate impacts, including an increase in rain events, are believed to have led to a scarcity of native flowering trees like eucalypts, a key food source for the endangered grey-headed flying foxes, which has driven them to frequent residential orchards, the city says.

Injured grey-headed flying foxes. Picture: Supplied

This means more flying foxes have been caught in illegal fruit tree netting, causing serious injuries that can often require months of rehabilitation, or result in euthanasia.

Fruit tree netting with large holes was banned in Victoria in 2021.

However, wildlife volunteers reported many homeowners were unaware of the ban and illegal netting remained common in residential gardens, council said.

Fine mesh netting, such as fruit fly netting, remains legal and poses less risk to wildlife.

Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan recognised the significance of the local flying fox colony and praised the dedication of wildlife carers.

“The Eastern Park flying fox colony plays a vital role in our local ecology as pollinators of native Australian trees,” Mr Sullivan said.

“As a community we should respect the safety of the colony by not disturbing them.”

To mitigate disturbances, the city has temporarily implemented a mowing exclusion zone under the colony, with signage instructing visitors to remain quiet and keep their distance.

Orphaned or injured grey-headed flying-fox pups. Picture: Supplied

Councillor Eddy Kontelj said the city was working to increase the area of suitable habitat and taking innovative steps to help reduce threats to the survival of the grey-headed flying foxes.

Local wildlife shelter operator and veterinary nurse Leila Merritt cares for about 40 orphaned pups and several adult flying foxes rescued from illegal fruit netting entanglements.

“This time of year, we see dozens of adult flying-foxes caught in illegal fruit netting,” Ms Merritt said.

“Grey-headed flying foxes are an endangered keystone species that help regenerate our ecosystems.

“The community can help our flying foxes by planting native flowering trees, using wildlife friendly fruit netting and sharing their fruit with our wildlife that desperately need it.”

If a flying fox is found, people are urged not to attempt rescue but to contact Wildlife Victoria at 03 8400 7300 who will send a vaccinated, trained wildlife rescuer to assist.

Information on fruit tree netting regulations can be found on the DEECA website.

Originally published as Illegal backyard netting putting Geelong bats at risk