Invasion of the Furry Kind

They arrive in great bundles, possibly early March this year. Until now, nobody truly knows why that the visitors came... Some say it was the 'recent' freak storm that drove them here, others suggests the past heat waves. Maybe they are attracted to the abundant Eucalyptus trees in our central park, their main food source. Whatever it is, one night, as if by magic, these furry creatures came & settled into what would be their first-grade accomodation for 6 months, Bendigo's central park - the peaceful Rosalind Park.

Introducing the Grey-Headed Flying Foxes

Rosalind Park is right in the centre of our township, connecting the business & shopping district with the arts & cafe precinct of Bendigo. As a resident here, I must say I am pretty proud of that park. It has a cascading fountain, a secluded pergola, a sweet little rotunda, a fernery, a glass conservatory, a children's playground & marble statues plus many other attractions. It is accesible by neatly paved roads, winding amongst the sentient oak & elm trees towering over the ever-green fields. The park benches beneath dimly-lit lamposts and the clean grounds encourages loiteres & picknickers alike.

Glass Conservatory in front of the law courts

Rosalind on a good day

However, with the arrival of the flying foxes, or bats as we like to call them, they have turned away most of the park users with their constant chattering and most of all with their faeces - the lethal, green, jelly-like guano. It was littered all over the grass and outdoor seatings. A slight, damp stench hung over the park like a bad dream that wouldn't go away for a while.

megabat colony

The colony of bats have turned away many visitors / joggers/ school kids alike. Apart from the most loyal park-users, people tend to avoid hanging around the gardens. Ironically, although the bats have made it near impossible to have a leisurely walk, they became some sort of an icon and a bizarre tourist attraction.

in flight

We became fascinated with these migrant creature, as you can't avoid noticing them in the vicinity. In the mornings, they would surround the city, flying around the park in hordes after endless hordes, almost threatening to block out the sun. In the evenings, they were still doing the 'flying-around' en masse, and this time round, the flights were much, much more eerie ... Imagine thousands of bats circling a gothic, medieval cathedral during twilight ... A vampire wouldn't look out of place if it emerges from the cathedral.

hanging around

And I thought bats were blind during the day, but obviously I didn't do enough research. These little flying creatures generated a lot of mixed emotions amongst Bendigonians. Some people hate them & you can't blame them as there was a period when fear-mongers spread the rumours that humans may catch bat-transmitted diseases (Australian bat lyssavirus) whatever that is ... However, there were plenty of understanding residents who went all out to defend the creatures. Soon, the Council posted up a sign saying the bats are an endangered species.

That seemed to shut up most of us up.

furry silhouttes

As migrant creatures ourselves, I guess I am quite happy with the noble way most Bendigonians accept foreign matter, be it fruit bats or Chinese. They take it with a pinch of salt. Figure of speech of course. Hehehe...

furry 'fruits'

On a closer look, they aren't all that bad (i meant the bats, not chinese). The bats may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they definately look cute, cuddly and adorably furry. I find them rather silly - looking & aloof hanging upside down wrapped in their mafia-like golden neck-muff. Also, they feel like mischevious exhibitionist wrapped in their leather-black wings as if they are going to flash you anytime.

With the changing seasons, these flying foxes looks like they are to be on the move again. Although they are a spectacle, I certainly won't miss them & their BO. But you never know, they may be back next year.

this is how u do it, mr. bale

They do remind me of evil kangaroo-like rats with wings ... But who am I to complain? I came from a town named specifically after a fruit bat Keluang. Coincidence?