GREY-headed Flying foxes or ‘fruit bats’ (as they’re sometimes known) have recently made their temporary home at the Hamilton Botanical Gardens.

In Australia, the Grey-Headed Flying Foxes have been a vulnerable species threatened with extinction, and environmental laws have been in place to conserve their populations.

Southern Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) acting works manager, Trevor Haley said the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) have been monitoring the bats and made the SGSC aware of them.

Mr Haley said the pop-up colony have been in the Hamilton Botanical Gardens for about two weeks and depending on the food quantity they may stay up to six to eight weeks.

With a food shortage the bats have had to travel further afield to find food.

Hamilton Wildlife Shelter owner and operator, Shelly Burrowes said, “we’re lucky to have them visit us as they try and find food to survive.

“Use this time to go and visit this unique species before they move again.”

Ms Burrowes said, this was not the first time the Grey-headed flying foxes have visited Hamilton - in November last year they were coming out at dusk to feed in the gumtrees down Coleraine Road and leaving to find a sheltered area to roost during the day.

Flying Foxes will rest and eat within 30 kilometres of their camp but it’s not uncommon for them to travel up to 50km for food.

In winter, adults can migrate up to 750km from their summer camps.

They do not move as a unit but as individuals or small groups.

She said if the community see a bat in need, such as on the ground or low in a bush/tree, to please call the shelter for help and don’t attempt to handle them yourself.

If you are accidentally scratched or bitten, please seek medical advice immediately.