4 November

These are the bats currently occupying central Bathurst, the grey-headed flying fox. Australia’s largest bat. Some facts about them that help shape how we can view what’s happening. - they only live on the east coast, and are critical for pollinating a lot of species in what’s left of our native forests between Adelaide and Brisbane - the massive 2019-20 bushfires decimated many of their feeding grounds - some of the only remaining forest they feed in and pollinate is earmarked for logging - heat stress from climate change has also been killing them - they give birth in October/November, which is why they’re in Bathurst right now, Machattie Park has become their nursery - ‘pup abandonment’, thousands of babies being left to die, is now sadly common. Nobody is sure why it happens. It’s happening in Bathurst too. - dispersal techniques i.e. scaring them off are ineffective for a variety of reasons. It’s also extremely stressful to them during this birthing event.