Parramatta North Grey-headed Flying-fox Camp

The Parramatta camp has between 5000-10,000 flying-foxes. Seasonal influxes of up to 20,000 have been recorded.

The Parramatta camp has been there for hundreds of years, in fact flying foxes were first recorded in the area by European colonists in 1798.

Flying-foxes are a nomadic species. This means they set up camps or move long distances based on available food sources. The NSW Government is using data to better understand the nomadic patterns of flying-foxes over the long term.

Yes, flying-foxes are a native species and are protected under state and federal legislation.

Flying-foxes are a keystone species crucial to the health of Australian native trees. They can fly up to 20km a night looking for food, pollinating trees and dispersing seeds through their droppings. Following the bushfires, they have been crucial to rejuvenating our forests.

In some flying-fox camps the trees can defoliate. This tends to happen in camps where space is restricted and the flying-foxes have less opportunity to move around the trees.

Risks of disease are extremely low as long as you don’t have physical contact with flying-foxes. Australian bat lyssavirus comes from being scratched or bitten by a flying-fox. It has been found that less than 10% of bats carry the virus. You cannot get the disease from having contact with their droppings or urine.

If you are bitten or scratched by a flying-fox, wash your hands in hot soapy water, apply disinfectant and seek medical attention immediately.

Australian lyssavirus and Hendra virus are two diseases commonly associated with flying-foxes. The risk of flying-foxes transmitting these diseases to humans is extremely low. Less than 10% of flying-foxes carry lyssavirus and transmission of Hendra virus from flying-foxes to humans has not be seen. Infection is through an intermediary animal such as a horse. 

Refrain from handling the flying-fox and call your local wildlife rescue immediately. If you see a sick or injured flying fox in Parramatta Park, please contact WIRES Wildlife Rescue on 1300 094 737.