Bats in Brisbane….Batty Tours Brisbane River

http://www.wildlife.org.au/news/2013/batty.html

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/child-in-brisbane-hospital-critically-ill-with-australian-bat-lyssavirus/story-e6freoof-1226578604971

On the hour-long trip upriver, passengers can listen to an expert commentary on the Brisbane river, flying fox habits and other fascinating wildlife facts. Watch the landmarks slide past as you cruise at a leisurely pace through the ever-changing riverscape.

The boat pauses just before sunset at Indooroopilly Island, historically the summer home to breeding black, grey-headed and sometimes little red flying foxes. However, our environment is ever changing – bat numbers are decreasing, food availability alters, vegetation changes – and bats move to roosts that better suit their needs. Some still prefer their Indooroopilly home, but numbers are unpredictable. As the sun sinks, silhouetted flying foxes swirl into darkening sky, snatching sips of river water before scattering to find food for themselves and their young in the flowering trees of Brisbane suburbs.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-09-21/health-warning-on-bat-virus-risk/4273802

Find out more about flying foxes

Learn about the Brisbane River, its history and landmarks.
Listed to expert commentary about flying foxes and wildlife along the Brisbane River
Meet on-board orphaned bats and their carers.
Visit the Indooroopilly flying fox camp at sunset and watch the flying foxes leave on their nightly foraging expedition (flying fox numbers vary and numbers cannot be guaranteed)

Join Wildlife Queensland Brisbane Branch on a river cruise to watch sunset from Indooroopilly Island.

Hear educational commentaries about bats and the river along the way.

See tiny orphaned baby bats on board.

Queensland Health warns of the dangers of touching dead bats.

http://www.gladstoneobserver.com.au/news/dont-touch-dead-bats-qld-health-warns/2132919/

When our cruises started in 1984, the sky at Indooroopilly would be full of up to 160,000 flying foxes flying out from their Island roost to feed. But our environment is ever changing – bat numbers are decreasing, food availability alters, vegetation changes – and bats move to roosts that better meet their needs.

The Indooroopilly fly-out may not be the spectacle it once was, but it’s still an interesting and educational cruise, and a great way to support Wildlife Queensland.

Join us during our 2013-2014 Summer season, and help keep the Batty Boat Cruise tradition alive!