FAWNA NSW INC

06/11/2026

This flying-fox starvation crisis has been exhausting and extremely emotionally challenging - and whilst Flying-foxes are no longer dying in droves or being found unwell low in people's backyards and gardens, FAWNA is still providing supplementary feeding to many individual bats.
We are so grateful to those who have, and are continuing, to support us and these critically important forest pollinators.

A very, very, special shout-out and profound thank-you, therefore, to Sandra, Kasie and Adam of the Hallidays Pt Foodworks. You have been amazing and your ongoing support has helped more than you could know.

01/11/2026

In their desperation, sadly many starving Flying-foxes have been trying to survive on things they normally wouldn't eat. Unfortunately this has included known poisonous w**ds.
One of these is the declared 'top 50' w**ds of Northern NSW and Queensland, 'Durante erecta', also known as the 'Brazillian sky flower', 'Golden dew drop', or 'Golden tears'.
Like so many of the problematic w**ds, this Sth American native is a garden escapee that is now threatening much of our tropical forests, particularly around the wetter riparian areas.
All parts of it are toxic, causing gastro-intestinal irritation, vomiting and diarrhoea to all mammals, including humans and pet dogs.
It is not formally known whether this has contributed to the death of the Flying-foxes, but it appears likely.
Councils across Northern NSW and Queensland have asked that people remove this pretty but invasive toxic plant.
Image credits: Brisbane City Council W**d Identification.

31/10/2026

Warning: deceased flying-foxes images included in this article

Wildlife carers have been deluged with distressed flying-foxes. It’s yet another crisis for these vital animals. Is it time to do better?

30/10/2026

Happy Halloween brought to you by just a small number of the rescued Grey-headed Flying-foxes in care with FAWNA - all at this time doing well.
Again, to all of the people helping save these essential species, we thank you. You keep us going.

30/10/2026

Flying-foxes help keep Australian forests healthy, pollinating native trees, dispersing seeds and sustaining habitat for koalas and countless other species.

A study in Scientific Reports estimates grey-headed flying-foxes could help regenerate around 91 million Australian trees a year, with pollination services potentially worth $271–$955 million annually to Australia’s eucalypt timber industry!

Their pups are also ridiculously cute! Rehabilitators know them as intelligent, expressive, social animals with distinct, lovable personalities. 🦇

Learn more: https://littleaussiebat.com.au/

Follow along as we share how Flying-Foxes are faring in their current crisis and how NWC and the NSW wildlife sector are helping - and how you can too.

NOTE: An urgent starvation event is affecting flying-foxes across eastern NSW, bringing more into backyards as they search for food. If you see one grounded, injured, deceased (may have a pup underwing) or distressed, never touch it. Keep children and pets away and use the IFAW Wildlife Rescue App to contact your local rescue group. Bites and scratches can transmit rare but serious Australian bat lyssavirus - leave handling to trained, vaccinated rescuers.

📷 A heartfelt thank you to our amazing NWC member groups and reps for sharing photos for this campaign: FAWNA NSW INC, Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, Wildcare, Bats - Bomaderry and Beyond and Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services) .

29/10/2026

As many people who have been following our posts on the Flying-fox starvation crisis are aware, beyond the lack of food, one of the other major threats to this essential pollinator species include the declared w**d, Cocos or Queen Palms (Syagrus romanzoffiana).

Flying-foxes are naturally attracted to the fruit, but the large seeds choke them and the fronds entrap and stab them.

In our area native Bangalow Palms grow well and have soft feathery foliage (plus the spent inflorescence can be used to make woven sculptures).
Their blossoms feed honey-bees and other nectar eaters, and their fruit feeds several birds and mammals, including flying-foxes.
Image of Bangalow Palm grown locally.

Jerry Coleby-Williams has more detail on trees to plant for our native species, including of course, flying-foxes.
https://jerry-coleby-williams.net/2014/03/15/favourite-flying-fox-food-trees-what-to-plant/

29/10/2026

Flying-foxes are facing overlapping threats - and wildlife first responders are seeing the toll. 🦇

Across eastern NSW, carers and vets report severe undernourishment, widespread deaths, premature births and pup loss during the current food shortage. With mothers usually producing just one pup a year, this is devastating.

The limited pool of trained, vaccinated rescuers is under enormous pressure. Extreme heat events, habitat loss, unsafe netting, barbed wire and powerlines add to the threats.

Three ways you can help:

• Support local rescue groups: donate, ask what supplies or volunteer help they need, and share their appeals.

• Make your backyard safer: remove unsafe netting when no animals are caught, and protect native feeding and roosting trees.

• Call for help: if a flying-fox is grounded, injured or distressed, never touch or attempt to free it. Use the IFAW Wildlife Rescue App to contact your local rescue group.

NOTE: An urgent starvation event is affecting flying-foxes across eastern NSW, bringing more into backyards as they search for food. If you see one grounded, injured, deceased (may have a pup underwing) or distressed, never touch it. Keep children and pets away and use the IFAW Wildlife Rescue App to contact your local rescue group. Bites and scratches can transmit rare but serious Australian bat lyssavirus - leave handling to trained, vaccinated rescuers.

📷 A heartfelt thank you to our amazing NWC member groups and reps for sharing photos for this campaign: FAWNA NSW INC, Northern Rivers Wildlife Hospital, - Bomaderry and Beyond, Wildcare, Sydney Wildlife (Sydney Metropolitan Wildlife Services), and Byron Bay Wildlife Hospital.

29/10/2026

Halloween is a lot of fun, but fake spiderweb is a real threat to our birdlife. These synthetic fibres not only add to the plastic and microplastic waste in our environment, they can entrap small birds causing significant injuries. Real spider-web on the otherhand, is a much needed 'glue' that nest-building birds use to create a strong, safe home for their chicks.
Please reconsider using fake spiderweb. You can instead take Birdlife Australia's suggestions and get creative with natural fibres like hessian sacks, straw, sheep's wool, sticks, twigs and yes pumpkins!
Scarecrow image from Juan Felipe Ramirez for inspiration.

27/10/2026

🦇

24/10/2026

People who have been hanging out fruit for our Flying-foxes have begun to ask when to stop for fear of creating dependency.
In previous years the orphan flying-foxes we have go through a process of 'soft release' where we provide food but they are able to leave whenever they want.
Usually after a week or so they don't return, instead becoming wild free-ranging bats.
Already some people who have been providing food for a few days are now seeing less bats partaking and no further deaths.
Our advice is is to keep feeding at least until the rain event passes and then see if you still have any 'takers'.
And a repeated profound and hearfelt thank you to everyone who has gone out of their way to support these important little Aussie native pollinators. It is because of you that this species will survive.