How many flying-foxes currently reside at the Gardens?
Flying-foxes are migratory animals that move between camps so the numbers in the Garden fluctuate dramatically, and are not necessarily the same individuals. There are generally fewer flying-foxes here over winter. The 2008 peak was in February when numbers swelled to an estimated 22,000 which, by August, had dropped to less than 7000 before escalating again. The 2009 peak was in April with approx. 17,300 flying-foxes which by the end of June had dropped to around 5000-6000. In 2010 during summer numbers again reached 22,000. Fluctuations in numbers are believed to be related to flowering and fruiting of food trees in the area surrounding the camp. Flying-foxes will follow their food sources for hundreds of kilometres, stopping off at various camps along the way. The camps of Cabramatta and Gordon emptied completely in May 2009 and numbers dropped in other camps as up to 250,000 flying-foxes were reported near Batemans Bay on the South Coast where spotted gums (Corymbia maculata) were
