Large numbers of flying foxes have been rescued by FAWNA in recent weeks.
LOCAL wildlife rescue organisation FAWNA is among five NSW wildlife rehabilitation groups to receive funding after experiencing a spike in flying-fox rescues in October and November.
Because of the unprecedented rise in flying-fox rescues, caused by unusual weather patterns and starvation among birthing flying-foxes and newborn pups, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the NSW Wildlife Council (NWC) joined forces to provide $2000 funding to be shared between the most-affected wildlife rescue and rehabilitation groups including FAWNA NSW.
Local FAWNA volunteers have been faced with a hectic start to the 2013 flying fox season with 160 animals being cared for within seven weeks.
“It is assumed that the dry weather reduced the nectar in the blossoms on the forest trees which provide the natural food for flying foxes, so the bats were starving and coming down low to plants like bottlebrush and fruit trees thus getting themselves into trouble,” FAWNA’s Amanda Boardman said.
One of the worst callouts was an incident that local wildlife carers, including some from Wingham, attended in Bulahdelah, where 15 flying foxes including a baby were tangled in netting in a fruit tree.
Flying foxes in Wingham Brush have been suffering due to extreme heat this month. “When the heat gets over the 42-43 degree mark they start to die or fall onto the ground,” Amanda said. She said if people come across a flying fox that is below head height, this means they are in distress and FAWNA animal rescue should be contacted on 6581 4141.
