Flying foxes
Flying-foxes are native to Australia and play a critical ecological role. They disperse rainforest seeds and
cross-pollinate the flowers of native species over significant distances, helping to maintain genetic diversity.
This role is particularly important in fragmented landscapes such as the Gold Coast, where native forest patches are
smaller and isolated from continuous forest areas.
Three species of flying-foxes inhabit our region.
Grey-headed flying-foxes
Photo: Steve Parish
(Pteropus poliocephalus) generally roost in coastal areas near watercourses or wetlands.
They can be spotted during the day in the lower to middle part of the tree canopy. They are listed as 'vulnerable'
by the Australian Government, due to habitat loss and long-term population declines.
Little red flying-foxes
Photo: Narelle Power
(P. scapulatus) are the smallest of the 3 species. They migrate from tropical north
Queensland to the Gold Coast during the summer months. Colonies may arrive in relatively low numbers and their
visits are short, lasting only a few months.
Black flying-foxes
Photo: Steve Parish
(P. alecto) can be spotted roosting in the upper parts of the tree canopy during the day,
often in the same trees as the grey-headed. Unfortunately, they are susceptible to high temperatures. Large numbers
of heat-related deaths may occur when temperatures rise above 42°C.
Urban roosts & odours
Flying-foxes are most active at night, flying up to 50 kilometres in search of food. Their numbers at roost sites
rise and fall throughout the year as they move between areas, so don't be surprised if they're present one day and
gone the next.
The odour at roost sites plays an important communication role among them. The smell is not from their faeces but the
male's scent gland, which they use to mark their territories. It is enhanced during the breeding season, when they
are disturbed and pushed into another male's branch, or when newcomers arrive in the roost. While the odour may be
unpleasant to us, it does not pose a health risk.
Flying-fox droppings are mostly found where they eat, rather than where they sleep. Exposure to bat and flying-fox
faeces or urine is not considered a health risk. The same hygiene approach we use for other animals should be used
for flying-fox droppings.
Urban noise
Flying-foxes feed at night. If you see or hear them near your home at night, they should move on once there is no
more food.
If you notice an increase in noise at your local flying-fox roost in January, February and March, it is because the
males are claiming territories and breeding is occurring. After months, females give birth, typically between
September and late October.
Discover more about living near flying foxes(PDF, 1MB).
Health concerns
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronaviruses exist in many animals such as bats, rodents, camels and cats. They can pass from animals to humans.
While the origin of COVID-19 is unknown, there doesn't appear to be a connection with Australian flying-foxes. For
information and advice on COVID-19 affecting people, refer to Queensland Health.
Australian bat lyssavirus
Flying-foxes may carry bacteria and viruses that can be harmful to humans, but Queensland Health advises the risk of
an infection of lyssavirus is low. Less than 1% of flying-foxes are infected. The virus can only be transmitted to
humans by bites, scratches or saliva into an open wound. If you are bitten or scratched by a flying-fox, wash the
wound thoroughly, apply antiseptic and seek immediate medical help. Additional information can be obtained from
Queensland Health.
Hendra virus
Flying-foxes are the natural host for the Hendra virus, which is a horse disease. People cannot catch it from
flying-foxes – infection results from close contact with an infected horse's blood, body fluids and tissues.
The Queensland Government provides useful information for protection against Hendra virus.
Sick, injured, orphaned or dead flying-fox
Do not handle flying-foxes under any circumstance. Should you find a sick, injured or orphaned flying-fox contact:
To report dead bats in City parks, along footpaths or roads, please email our Waste Management Unit at wastemanagement@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or call 07 5667 5976.
To report dead animals on major roads (motorways and highways), contact the Queensland Government's Department of
Transport and Main Roads on 13 19 40.
As the landowner, you can remove a dead flying-fox, if you follow simple safety steps:
- do not touch it
- make sure it is dead (if still alive, call the numbers above)
- wear thick gloves and use a shovel or tongs to place it in a plastic bag
- put that in your general rubbish bin or take to a landfill.
Management of flying-foxes
Flying-foxes are protected under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992. We can only manage flying-fox roosts that are located on Council land in accordance with our Statement of Flying-fox Management Intent(PDF, 1MB).
We manage flying-fox roosts in stages, designed to reduce impacts on nearby residents while protecting these native species. We focus on managing issues where they happen, rather than moving flying-foxes to other areas.
We usually don't try to relocate or disperse flying‑foxes because it is expensive, often doesn't work and can cause problems in other places. We only consider dispersal in rare and extreme cases.
You must have approval to disturb or try to move flying‑foxes. There can be large fines if you do this without permission.
If you are experiencing significant disturbance associated with a roost on Council-managed land, please contact us
via email at naturalareasadmin@goldcoast.qld.gov.au or
phone 07 5667 5990.
We do not manage flying-foxes and their habitat on private or State-owned land. Private landholders can conduct
flying-fox management on their land in accordance with the Queensland Government's Authorised flying-fox roost management.