Bendigo Sustainability Festival
Meet us on Sunday 17 March 2024 at the Garden for the Future, Hamelin St, White Hills, from 10am – 3.30pm to meet our volunteers and...
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ABOUT US
Central Victorian
Bat Alliance
We are a volunteer group of passionate wildlife carers, rescuers, and native biodiversity experts dedicated to improving knowledge and supporting sustainable bat colonies in Central Victoria.
Bats play a significant role in Central Victoria as well as in the rich cultural history of Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People) (link to sharing stories foundation Uncle Rick totem and moety story ‘the eagle, the crow, and the bat’).
Our diverse ecology is home to a variety of bat species including fruit-eating flying-foxes and insect-eating microbats. Grey-headed flying foxes are a nationally listed threatened keystone species.
Our priorities
Education to End Misinformation
Bats are incredible creatures that are widely misunderstood. We promote accessible information that helps the public to understand how bats help, and how we can help bats. We aim to end the stigma and share the science supporting bats.
Responsible Public Parks and Gardens
We all enjoy public open space, and these environments play an important role in our ecology and bio-diversity. Bats rely on some tree species and 'camp' in some park areas to be close to food sources according to seasonal migration patterns. We support sharing our parks and gardens and an end to the forced displacement of bat camps.
Support for Carers and Local Soft Release Program
We support creating a local soft release site for hand raised pups. Currently, the only available facility is in Melbourne. This will benefit our local ecology as well as our local bat carers. We work with a network of volunteer, licensed bat carers and actively raise money to ensure the sustainability of their operations.
Helping our bats thrive
Bag it Up - netting fruit
Share the beautiful bounty of your garden by using fruit protection bags instead of whole tree nets. In 2021 new netting legislation was introduced making many typee of large apperture netting illegal. Many forms of tree net (larger than 5x5mm) are illegal and can cause serious harm to flying foxes. Instead use 'fruit bags' to section of parts of fruit trees you wish to consume and share the rest of the fruit with our wild friends.
Blossom Magic
It’s not only fruit that flying-foxes enjoy. They love and prefer our native blossoms as well. This includes eucalyptus, grevillea, and tea-trees. If you have these in your garden then please give bats access – they are helping to pollinate and spread these gorgeous trees and shrubs. Also if able, please plant more food trees for bats.
Call it in
If you come across a bat that is in distress it is important that you don't touch it. This needs to be done by licensed and vaccinated wildlife carers. If you see a bat panting, climbing down trees, in vegetation/shrubs, on the ground, or otherwise alone this can be signs of an emergency and should be reported immediately so a vaccinated and trained bat rescuer can attend. DO NOT HANDLE BATS.
Latest News, Stories & Events
Our bats need you
Starvation Events
Bushfires and habitat destruction are causing colonies of flying-foxes to travel further and enter urban areas in search of food. If bats can't find enough food, thousands can perish - putting our entire ecosystem at risk. During summer months and orphan pup season, fruit donations can assist with the task of feeding bats with licensed carers.
Heat Stress
On days above 38 degrees and during heat-waves, flying-foxes can die in huge numbers (and go from being threatened species to endangered. It’s important to stay out of bat colony’s and camps on hot days - your presence can cause disruption that means bats exert vital energy trying to find new roosting sights. Please avoid bat camps on hot days.
Licensed Bat Carers
There is a network of volunteer bat carers across Central Victoria who are vaccinated and licensed to work with bats. These wonderful individuals need help -particularly fresh fruit (in summer time), specialist milk formula, medications and medical equipment. If you have these or would like to support the purchase of these direcly, please donate.
Become a growing partner
If you are an orchard or are growing fruit trees (apples, pears, figs) in Central Victoria, we would love to partner with you to supply bat carers. Please get in touch about how we can work together.
Working Towards Common Goals
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