EDUCATING people about the value of bats is important to carer Leanne Robertson, who says grants from council have helped reimburse some of her costs.
Ms Robertson, who cares for orphaned blue and grey-headed flying foxes and microbats, says the animals are so misunderstood.
“Bats get the worst rap, they don’t have a voice, but they are the most important animal for our ecosystems,” she said.
“They are the only long distance pollinators; they can travel more than 100 kilometres a night.”
The Logan Reserve carer said she had used money from council she had received over three years to buy a large cage for flying foxes, a travel cage for microbats and dripper bottles.
Ms Robertson said she was busiest from October until April when young bats often became orphaned.
“During their first five weeks bats are attached to their mum’s teat,” she said.
“Then they move to a creche tree.”
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Ms Robertson said bats were highly intelligent and the cleanest animals she had cared for.
She found caring for bats rewarding and encouraged people to learn about their environmental value.
Ms Robertson said bats could be injured by cats, trapped in fruit netting, injured from barbed wire and electrocuted by power lines.
Information for teachers to use as part of the curriculum was available through Bats Queensland.
Last year money offered through the EnviroGrants program went to six wildlife carers in the Jimboomba region and to a project to manage weeds and restore native habitat on privately owned properties in the Cedar Grove Community Catchment.
Grants of up to $5000 per project are available for environmental projects, research or education and grants of up to $2000 are available to wildlife carers.
For information on the grants, visit logan.qld.gov.au/community-support/grants/envirogrants or council’s health, environment and waste branch on 3412 3412.
Applications open on January 10 and close on February 15.
Ms Robertson appealed to anyone who saw a bat alone during the day to contact a carer.
She also asked for donations, and volunteers to help carers or become a carer to contact her on 0400 010 613.
Carers can use items such as towels, bottles, pegs and sterilisers. Volunteers are needed for fundraising, answering phones, rescuing wildlife, caring and to help with the release of wildlife.
For information about bats, visit batsqld.org.au.