Flying-foxes
Flying-foxes are large bats. There are four species native to mainland Australia: the Little Red Flying-fox, the Black Flying-fox, the Spectacled Flying-fox and the Grey-headed Flying-fox.
Of these, the Grey-headed Flying-fox is the only species permanent to southern Victoria, although the Little Red Flying-fox is a semi-permanent resident in northern Victoria. They are migratory animals and in Melbourne colony numbers fluctuate with the seasons – more in summer, less in winter.
Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens became home to a permanent colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes in 1986 after years of seasonal roosting. In 2003 their numbers peaked at 30,000 in summer, with 8,000 staying through to winter. Having so many flying-foxes roost all year-round in a small and sensitive area of the Royal Botanic Gardens was damaging heritage-listed vegetation, so in March 2003 they were successfully moved to a more suitable location at Yarra Bend Park, Kew.
 |  | About Flying-foxes A look at the distribution, habitat, behaviour, breeding, diet and conservation status of flying-foxes. |
 | | Flying-foxes and People There are a number of myths about flying-foxes that cause many people to fear them. Find out the truth about their impact on residential areas, fruit trees and risk of disease. |
 | | Melbourne's Flying-foxes Learn about the history of Melbourne's flying foxes and the program to relocate them to Yarra Bend Park |
 | | Management Plan Our strategy to create a long-term, sustainable roost site at Yarra Bend Park for Melbourne's flying-fox colony |
 | | Flying-fox FAQs Interesting facts about flying-foxes and other bats. |
 | | Fact Sheets and media releases Publications and news items about the relocation to Yarra Bend Park. |