A reminder not to touch flying foxes comes after after a number were found deceased at The Anchorage, Tweed Heads.
Affected bats have been tested for Australian Bat Lyssavirus and returned a negative result, but the cause of death has yet to be confirmed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
The flying fox camp, located at Keith Curran Park on Island Drive at The Anchorage, is being monitored on a daily basis by Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers, who reported a small number of flying fox deaths and sick animals over the holiday period.
Council’s Biodiversity Projects and Planning Officer Marama Hopkins said the risk to public health from flying foxes is very low unless bitten or scratched.
‘Members of the public should never touch a flying fox and pets should also be kept away. Only trained workers who have been vaccinated should handle bats.’
If anyone finds a dead or sick flying fox they should call Tweed Valley Wildlife Carers’ 24-hour rescue hotline on 02 6672 4789 for assistance.
For more information about flying fox management in the Tweed, visit: www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/Wildlife.
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