Banyule City Council has successfully attracted some of Melbourne’s grey headed flying fox population to a new roost site on the Yarra River. Council and the Victorian Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Zoos Victoria, Parks Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne have helped to conserve the nationally threatened species by attracting members of the Botanic Gardens colony to Horseshoe Bend in the leafy inner eastern suburb of Ivanhoe.
The move has also helped to save precious vegetation in the Botanic Gardens, which had been virtually destroyed by the colony. The growth of the Botanic Gardens’ permanent grey headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) camp over the past 20 years caused significant wildlife management problems and habitat loss for the species.
Horseshoe Bend is a Council owned reserve that was chosen as a new roost site from 40 possible locations. Caged animals, habitat improvements and other treatments are being used to attract flying foxes to the reserve as part of a three year relocation trial.
Council’s Environmental Assistant, Lisa Kermode, said the captive population was still living successfully at the new site.
“They are a transitory population,” Lisa Kermode said. “They don’t all live at the Botanic Gardens all year round. “The numbers in the Gardens fluctuate from about 5000 to 30,000 depending on the season.”
A comprehensive research and monitoring program involving scientists and the Banyule community has provided new information on the ecology and biology of the species. An education program has also been undertaken to improve the community’s understanding of urban wildlife management issues.
Lisa Kermode said the relocation trial had global significance because it was the first time a grey headed flying fox colony had been successfully moved to a predetermined site.
“Council is proud to be involved with this innovative first in wildlife management,” she said. “It is a unique project that has attracted interest worldwide.”
Council has also rehabilitated indigenous vegetation at Horseshoe Bend and Horseshoe Billabong as part of the project, improving the major wildlife corridor along the Yarra River.
For further information contact Lisa Kermode, email mode@banyule.vic.gov.au or telephone (03) 9457 9828.
