Carers go to bat for ‘beautiful and important’ creatures
BATS — especially baby bats — might be adorable but they play a “vital” role in maintaining the Top End ecosystem, explains Territory Wildlife Park woodlands keeper April Stubbs.
Ms Stubbs said unfortunately bats had a pretty bad reputation.
“They’re beautiful and important,” she said.
Ms Stubbs is helping care for black flying foxes Beetle, 10 weeks, and Cricket, 12 weeks, at the park. “They’re both very, very needy,” she laughed.
“Beetle wants to be with you all the time. But they love fruit, you can win them over with pawpaw.”
In a bid to dispel batty myths about the creatures, Tristan Cook, from City of Darwin Garden’s for Wildlife is hosting the third annual Bat Night this Tuesday.
The free annual event attracted well over 50 people the past two years.
“While not many people know a lot about bats they are one of the most common species of wildlife encountered in Darwin,” Mr Cook said.
Bat lovers and those wishing to know more about bats in general are invited to attend. Experts Nicola Hanrahan and Damien Milne will provide interesting facts and information about bats, and address some common misconceptions.
The event runs from 6.30pm-8pm on Tuesday May 28 at Singh Park at East Point Reserve.