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A
Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers Factsheet |
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This factsheet contains information sourced from members
of Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers, members of other groups,
independent advice, and research.
We hope you find the information below useful, and it helps
to answer your questions on this subject. If you have any
further questions, please feel free to contact us on the
email link below left.
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YOU FIND A FLYING FOX HOPELESSLY ENTANGLED ON BARBED
WIRE:
Trapped and helpless, horribly injured,
and very frightened. This is most likely to happen in spring
when mothers are carrying babies. Or you find one on the
ground. Maybe you see one hanging on a power line.
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WHAT DO YOU DO NEXT?
If the flying fox is on power lines it is probably dead,
and you just have to hope the body doesn't hang there for
long. But there may be a baby which has survived. Look carefully.
You may even need binoculars. If there is a baby, telephone
your wildlife rescue service. They will get the power service
to help too.
If the animal is within reach you'll want to help, but
please stop and think. Flying foxes are usually clean and
healthy, but if they are in difficulties it may be because
they are sick. Your animal will be frightened and probably
want to defend itself. If you get bitten or scratched the
animal will need to be tested for Lyssavirus – a rare
disease in flying foxes, but too serious for you to take
any risks. The only way to test the animal is for it to
be killed and examined in a laboratory. So in your trying
to help, you may have caused the animal's death. It's much
better to telephone your local wildlife care service.
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(For
yourself, however, do not panic if you are bitten or scratched.
Wash the wound with soap and water as thoroughly and as soon
as you can, then see your doctor for a vaccination. Vaccination
against rabies will protect you. Lyssavirus is a member of
the rabies family, though it is not rabies.) |
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PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RESCUE THE ANIMAL
Please keep other people, children and pets away from the
flying fox. They will only frighten it. You may throw a
towel or blanket over it to stop it tangling itself further
on wire, protect it from the sun, and to make it feel protected,
but do no more than that. If you live in the Tweed Valley
of northern NSW, telephone us on 02
6672 4789. We have people who are trained to handle
flying foxes. Or visit our carer
directory for a group in your area.
THANKS TO FLYING FOXES
We now know that flying foxes are vital to the health of
forests. They pollinate trees as they eat nectar from blossoms
(their favourite food), and they spread seed as they eat
rainforest fruits. They are attractive, intelligent animals,
and their biology is very similar to ours, and to monkeys.
The way their eyes see, for instance, is similar to the
way ours see. (Whereas dogs' eyes work in a different way.
Dogs are less closely related to us.) You could say that
flying foxes, like monkeys, are our cousins.
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TWEED VALLEY WILDLIFE CARERS
Licensed under the NSW National Parks &
Wildlife Service, offer a free 24-hour service to the people
and wildlife of the Tweed Valley. We rescue, relocate, rehabilitate,
and release injured and orphaned native wildlife. We are
a volunteer group relying almost entirely on donations and
public generosity, and are always looking for people interested
in becoming new carers.
Contact us on our 24 hour hotline 02
6672 4789. PO Box 898. Murwillumbah. NSW 2484
Visit us online at www.tvwc.org Email:
wildlife@tvwc.org
We would like to thank Vivien
Jones for her wonderful photos and input.
Visit her excellent Flying-fox site at www.bellingen.com/flyingfoxes
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return to the main factsheet index click here |
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