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Bat Hospital

Placement number:  0061
Location: Australia
Preferred Languages: English
Date: Orphan season October to February, but volunteering available all year round.
Minimum Period: 1 month in orphan season, though shorter stays available rest of year.

We are nestled in 5 acres of gardens in a quiet forest valley just outside Atherton, about an hour's drive from Cairns. Every year Tolga Bat Hospital rescues, rehabilitates and releases hundreds of bats that would otherwise die. We also provide lifetime sanctuary for many bats that are too severely injured to return to the wild. While this makes a real difference to the individual animal, and the volunteers who are privileged to interact with them, there is a lot more to be done. We are therefore very actively engaged in education, habitat restoration, research and advocacy. Our aims are to improve the public's perception and understanding of bats, and to contribute to the survival of bats and their habitat. We will open a visitor centre at the bat hospital in early 2008 and welcome environmental educators to contribute to its success.

Volunteers and guests have a unique opportunity to experience the work of the onsite bat hospital and meet some Australian flying foxes - up close and personal!

Our Mission statement: We are a community-based organization that promotes public education, partnerships and capacity building while working specifically for the conservation of bats and their habitat.

The groups' summary of its activities:
1. Recognising the rights and responsibilities of Volunteers. Implementing an increasingly safe and harmonious volunteering environment.
2. Wildlife care. To rescue, rehabilitate and release all species of bats with a high standard of care, as well as provide a sanctuary for some of those who cannot be released.
3. Actively seek partnerships in the community for all aspects of our work, networking with: (i) other community groups especially those with environmental aims (ii) public health, research, scientific, veterinary and education communities (iii) other local. national and international bat groups
4. Education. Educate and raise awareness of issues affecting bats, involving (i) bat carers and volunteers (ii) the education community, teachers and students of all ages and disciplines. (iii) the public health, research, scientific and veterinary communities (iv) the general community
5. Research. Support ethical research into the general ecology of bats and their management.
6. Habitat protection. Negotiate with landowners to facilitate the repair and protection of bat habitat, especially the Tolga Scrub.
7. Advocacy. Advocate for conservation values of bats and their habitat.

Role of Volunteer

Work at the hospital varies with the time of year. October to January is our extremely busy time of the year, and volunteers work mainly with the orphaned flying foxes - one or two daily searches in the bat colony or colonies, treatments, orphan care, food preparation (for humans as well as bats), cooking, record-keeping and of course cleaning and washing. Help can also be needed with current research projects and Landcare work (maintenance of tree plantings, weed control). Through the rest of the year the work is varied, and will include helping at the visitor centre that opens in early 2008.

Research Opportunities

Opportunities exist in rehabilitation, medical care, captivity issues, recuperation and wild Bat behaviour.

Please Note: Volunteers need to be vaccinated for rabies in orphan season.

Cost

US$25-50 per day depending on length of placement.

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