Grey-headed Flying Fox

There have been increasing sightings of Grey-Headed Flying-foxes with sightings extending either completely or partially within the Yorke and Mid North National Parks and Wildlife Service Region, further than the normal range of the species.

The following are some information which may assist you:

• Information about Grey-Headed Flying-foxes including tips to deal with flying fox impacts and disease risk to people is now on the new Department for Environment and Water Living with Grey-headed flying foxes webpage.
• See also community FAQs on the recent Good Living blog Everything you need to know about South Australia’s flying foxes.
• Records and observations of sightings, particularly new camps (where flying foxes are sleeping on a property during the day for several days in a row) are of interest, and can be reported to the National Parks and Wildlife Service - Wildlife Management Unit via email to wildlife@sa.gov.au. These observations will also be recorded in the Biological Databases of South Australia (BDBSA).
• It is important to anyone who has an interaction with a Grey-Headed Flying-fox, that they must not touch bats (either dead or alive) to ensure protection against bites or scratches and possible transmission of Australian bat lyssavirus. There is no risk to people of transmission through droppings or urine.
• If a person is bitten or scratched by a bat they must follow the SA Health advice around what to do if bitten or scratched by a bat.
• If you have found an injured or dead bat, please contact a local wildlife rescue organisation for a vaccinated volunteer to assist with rescue or disposal. This may include: Bat Rescue SA (0475 132 093) or Fauna Rescue of South Australia ((08) 8486 1139).