Episode 405 - They're Bats... Man

About this episode

This episode explores the ecological importance and urban challenges of the grey-headed flying fox in Australia.

They’re loud, they’re messy, and they’ve become one of Australia’s most controversial native animals — the grey-headed flying fox. Found along the east coast, these large fruit bats play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal, yet their presence in urban areas has made them the centre of ongoing conflict between conservation and community concerns. From mass colonies in suburban parks to debates over relocation and protection, it’s a story that sits at the intersection of environment, policy, and everyday life. In this episode, Holly and Matthew explore the history, behaviour, and ecological importance of grey-headed flying foxes, along with the challenges they present in towns and cities. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/weird-crap-in-australia--2968350/support .

People in this episode

Hosts: Holly, Matthew

Topics covered

• environment
• conservation
• urban wildlife
• pollination
• community conflict

Keywords

• grey-headed flying fox
• fruit bats
• pollination
• seed dispersal
• urban areas
• conservation
• community concerns

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: grey-headed flying fox

Places: Australia, east coast

More episodes of Weird Crap in Australia

• Episode 413 - The 1971 Prosh Day Stunt · June 8, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Episode 412 - The Rise and Fall of Rolf Harris Part 3 · June 1, 2026 · 1h 9m
• Episode 411 - The Rise and Fall of Rolf Harris Part 2 · May 25, 2026 · 49 min
• Episode 410 - The Rise and Fall of Rolf Harris · May 18, 2026 · 1h 14m
• Episode 409 - The Meckering Earthquake · May 11, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 408 - The Gympie Pyramid · May 4, 2026 · 59 min