The most commonly seen bat in the Sydney area is the Grey-headed Flying-fox, a large nectar- and fruit-eating bat which roosts during the day in large treetop colonies.

The Grey-headed Flying-fox is listed as a threatened (vulnerable to extinction) species at State, Federal, and International levels.

Numbers are declining - from many millions in the 1930's to less than 450,000 in 2004, with an estimated 30% decline in population between 1990 and 2000. A recent population study (Divljam 2008) suggests the Grey-headed Flying-fox will be extinct in the wild in around 80-85 years.

Around 19 species of insect-eating Microbats are also found in the Sydney Region.

Why are bats important?

• Nectar- and fruit-feeding bats are vital to forest regeneration as pollinators and dispersers of rainforest seeds
• Insect-eating bats play an important role in the natural control of insect populations

Why have population numbers declined?

• Loss of habitat due to clearing of native vegetation
• Disturbance and removal of camps and roosts
• Shooting as a crop protection measure
• Electrocution on power lines
• Entanglement in incorrectly netted backyard fruit trees

How can bats be conserved?

• Protect their camp sites
• Protect their food resources
• Sustainably manage our ecological systems of which they are an integral part

What is Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society?

• KBCS Inc. is a non profit community organization working for the conservation of all bat species especially the Grey-headed Flying-fox
• The continued work of KBCS Inc. is reliant on receiving government grants and public donations

What can you do to conserve bats?

• Join Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society Inc. and receive the Friends of Bats newsletter
• Make a tax-deductible donation to Bat Conservation Gift Fund
  
• If you live in Sydney you can help out with the habitat restoration project in Ku-ring-gai Flying-fox Reserve