A VICTORIA Point ecologist is raising an injured animal that scientists think might hold the key to restoring scorched bushland.
Jasmine Vink has been looking after seven grey headed flying foxes that were orphaned in the NSW bushfires and said the bats could disperse seeds over thousands of kilometres to rejuvenate damaged land.
She said they were also major pollinators, meaning they would help trees to reproduce and allow other species like koalas to survive.
Ms Vink said three of the bats she was looking after for Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland had been moved to an aviary to learn the skills that were required to cope in the wild.
"They were all rescued from camps in NSW where the mothers had started starving due to direct burning of their foraging grounds and an inability to find their food through thick smoke," she said.
"Flying foxes are able to fly away from the flames of the fires but are still affected when their food sources burn and the landscape is covered in a smoke haze.
"I was quite lucky with my babies all things considered. One had grazes on her wings and thumbs from dragging herself along the ground. One had minor eye injuries, most likely from being dehydrated before she was rescued.
"A couple of them were very emotionally traumatised. As incredibly intelligent animals they can remember their trauma so they need extra reassurance to feel safe."
Ms Vink said more than 250 flying fox babies were taken to Queensland and distributed to rehabilitation groups after being rescued from bushfires in NSW.
"Flying foxes are incredible, although often misunderstood, animals," Ms Vink said.
"They are intelligent, social and essential to the ecosystem. They are an absolute pleasure to raise because they bond very strongly to you.
"Grey headed flying foxes are also a nationally listed threatened species so we should be doing everything we can to save them."
Ms Vink said baby flying foxes acted like human babies and would spend most of the day sleeping.
She said they were given daily baths and fed milk five times a day.
"As they get older, they start to spend more time awake and start hanging," Ms Vink said.
"We raise them using laundry airers to create a bat play pen for them to explore. They are intelligent and curious babies so they require lots of toys and stimulus to keep them occupied.
"Because their mums are very affectionate and tactile in the wild, we simulate this in care by ensuring we give them affection and cuddles."
Ms Vink said people should never pick up an injured bat in the wild, as they may be carrying diseases.
Injuries can be reported to Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland on 0488 228 134.
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