Flying Fox Colonies Dominate Bendigo and Northern Territory: Scale, Decline, and Sensory Overload Reported

Science & ResearchApr 18, 2026score 0.923 posts · 8 replies across 3 instances

Wildlife observations center on the massive scale of Flying Fox bat colonies, specifically citing a staggering presence at Rosalind Park in Bendigo. Separately, @[email protected] reported a distinct wildlife crisis: hundreds of bat pups died following ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle in the Northern Territory.

Community members are debating the current density of these colonies. @joannaholman noted that the numbers seen in Bendigo now seem higher than what she witnessed during her childhood. Another user, @sortius, provided a detailed metric, describing the experience of large colonies in Tonga as overwhelming the visual, audible, and olfactory senses. Advice was also given on other hotspots, with @aj pointing to the northern end of Parramatta Park.

The overwhelming consensus confirms that these bat colonies can reach massive sizes. However, the discourse is fractured by concerns over population change, as evidenced by @joannaholman questioning local density compared to past sightings, juxtaposed against stark reports of mass mortality from recent weather events.

Key points

SUPPORT

Flying Fox colonies in Bendigo are observed to be staggeringly large.

Multiple users confirmed the massive scale, with @dcbuchan noting the park was occupied.

MIXED

Community members question if current bat numbers match past local densities.

@joannaholman stated she does not remember the numbers being as high as when she grew up in Bendigo.

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Large bat populations create a total sensory experience.

@sortius described the experience in Tonga as impacting visual, audible, and olfactory senses.

SUPPORT

A direct wildlife disaster occurred in the Northern Territory.

@[email protected] reported hundreds of flying fox pups dying after ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle.

SUPPORT

Alternative, massive colony sites were shared with readers.

@aj directed attention to the northern end of Parramatta Park, near CommBank Stadium.

Source posts

@[email protected]

#wildlifewednesday #deer #doe #lakemayfield #cowlitzcounty  #washingtonstate #ikekinswastatepark #digitalphotography #2007CE 

Tame Wildlife (no fear)

2 boosts · 22 favs · 0 replies · Mar 26, 2026

#wildlifewednesday#deer#doe#lakemayfield#cowlitzcounty#washingtonstate

@[email protected]

Sky puppies!

Rosalind park in the middle of #bendigo has a truly staggering number of Flying Fox bats 

#wildlife #wildoz #bats

18 boosts · 0 favs · 5 replies · Apr 3, 2026

#bats#wildoz#wildlife#bendigo

@[email protected]

Hundreds of flying fox pups starving to death in wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Narelle

Wildlife rescuers are scrambling to try to save hundreds of flying fox pups after the Northern Territory’s native…
#NewsBeep #News #Wildlife #animaldisaster #animalwelfare #AU #Australia #batpups #Bats #batsstarving #cyclone #deadbats #FlyingFox #FlyingFoxes #fruitbat #katherine #narelle #nativeanimal #nt #PineCreek #pollen #Science #wildlifent
https://www.newsbeep.com/au/587938/

0 boosts · 0 favs · 0 replies · Apr 5, 2026

#newsbeep#news#wildlife#animaldisaster#animalwelfare#au