Greyheaded Flying-foxes Relocation Program

The Department of Sustainability and Environment, Department of Primary Industries, Zoos Victoria, Parks Victoria and the Royal Botanic Gardens are currently implementing a world-first three-year project to relocate the large colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes from the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne (RBGM) to a new roost site at Horseshoe Bend in Ivanhoe.

In early 2003, over 28,000 Grey-headed Flying-foxes resided in the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne and their sheer weight of numbers was damaging historically significant and heritage-listed trees and plantings and, in turn, their habitat.

Works at the Horseshoe Bend site were completed during 2002 to make it an attractive alternative roosting place for the flying-foxes. This included the establishment of enclosures to house captive flying-foxes, free-feed, habitat improvements and an irrigation system to maintain a humid environment, leaf litter from the RBGM, play-back calls and decoy flying-foxes, to provide familiar sights, smells and sounds.
Two phase of disturbance took place during 2003 using deterrents to encourage the flying-fox colony to leave the RBGM and direct them towards Horseshoe Bend.

For more information about Flying-foxes visit the Department of Sustainability and Environment's Flying-fox website.