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New Bat Rehabilitation Centre opens at Goulburn
In a first for NSW, a new microbat aviary has been built near Goulburn.
Owned and managed by WIRES Inc. and funded through a community grant
from Holcim Australia, the Holcim Bat Flight Centre was officially
opened on Monday November 27.
The aviary will provide a place for microbats in care to regain flight fitness prior to their return to the wild.
The centre has already received requests to accommodate microbats from
areas throughout the state including Goulburn, Marulan, Yass, Young,
Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour and Sydney.
WIRES CEO Leanne Taylor said until now there have been no suitable
aviaries in NSW able to accommodate the flight rehabilitation
requirements for many of the microbat species that come into care.
Despite their small size (from only 4cm in length), many bat species are
adapted for fast flight above the forest canopy. They need very l
Thanks to this generous donation from Holcim we now have a suitable space capable of accommodating almost every species of microbat found in NSW.
Holcim general manager Stephen Mossie said the company was delighted to support this excellent community-based environmental program. “The aim of this new centre is to protect and preserve some of NSW’s unique native species and help ensure their survival.”
Microbats
There are approximately 32 species of microbats found in NSW, ranging in size from 4 to 40g.
They are nocturnal insect pest controllers, consuming up to 100 percent of their body weight in insects every night.
They are clean and sociable animals that do not gnaw wood, wires or insulation. For more information visit https://www.wires.org.au/rescue/microbats
Although it is estimated that fewer than 1pc of flying-foxes and bats carry Australian Bat Lyssavirus it is a requirement of the NSW Health Service that anyone working with these animals is vaccinated as a safety precaution.
Members of the public are warned to never take the risk of handling any bat but to call WIRES on 1300 094 737.
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