BY WILL MCGRATH
Hunter residents are being urged to keep an eye out for sick and injured flying foxes, with a food supply shortage causing many to become weak or die.
Flying foxes are recognised as a key species in the Australian ecosystem, responsible for pollination and seed distribution.
"About 80 per cent of our gum trees are pollinated by flying foxes because they fly such great distances and spread their seeds around," said Hunter Wildlife Rescue vice president Kerry Walker.
"They are absolutely critical to biodiversity and ecology."
Due to an unusually warm and dry winter, trees which are used for food by the bats have had their regular flowering patterns disrupted.
This has forced the species to look elsewhere for food, leading them to consume items which are toxic to them, such as fruit from the green cocos palm.
Ms Walker said they've seen a large spike in the number of sick flying foxes reported to the service.
"It's been very widespread, clearly, that the trees haven't come into flower as much as they should, and they don't have enough nectar," she said.
"That's causing there to be insufficient food for the flying foxes all over the state."
It coincides with a wave of premature births, and with not enough food to go around, many pups are dying young due to mothers unable to provide sufficient nutrition
Experts say the loss of an entire generation of the species is now on the cards.
Residents wanting to help the species are asked to hang 'garlands' of fruit, such as melon, apple and pear, but not banana, on trees for bats to eat.
Those who come across a sick or injured flying fox are advised leave it alone and call Hunter Wildlife Rescue on 0418 628 483.
A female flying fox and her newborn pup brought into care after being discovered emaciated in Lake Macquarie. Picture supplied.
