They may look cute but Illawarra public health and wildlife experts are urging the public to steer clear of injured or orphaned fruit bats this bushfire season.
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Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District public health director Curtis Gregory said fruit bats, or flying foxes, could carry a rabies-like virus that is fatal in humans.
"Australian bat lyssavirus is part of a broader group of viruses which include rabies," he said. "It's quite a serious disease because if people get infected there is no cure.
"If you are bitten or scratched by a flying fox or other bat, the advice is to immediately wash the wound with soap and water for five minutes, apply antiseptic and then seek medical attention.
"If given soon enough after exposure a course of vaccinations, and immunoglobulin antibodies, can provide protection. However once symptoms develop, these infections are almost always fatal."
Mr Gregory said there'd been three recorded cases of human infection with Australian bat lyssavirus, all in Queensland - two in the 1990s and one in 2012. All three people died.
"However the public health advice is to assume that all flying foxes and other bats are affected and stay away from them," he said.
"Bats usually have their young in October and November, and currently - due to the increased heat, smoke and dust in recent weeks - people are more likely to find them in a distressed state from dehydration or malnutrition.
"People's instinct, especially with babies, might be to pick them up but instead they need to contact people who are vaccinated, and have the right skills and experience to rescue them."
People like Janine Davies, the flying fox co-ordinator for Wildlife Rescue South Coast. Ms Davies, who's based at Bomaderry, said there's been an influx of calls in the past few weeks.
"We've had an influx of deaths since November 20 - both directly from fire as the flying foxes haven't been able to get out in time, and indirectly with the fires decimating the forests - and taking their food source," she said.
"Due to the onset of fires, and the ongoing drought, many of the flying fox mothers are starving and have stopped lactating, and their babies are falling off them.
"We're caring for a number of orphans and we've just got another one - nicknamed Barrie - who's only about 30 days old and was brought in from a burnt-out area near Lake Tabourie.
"He was probably dropped as his mother was trying to escape the fire, and he has a burnt ear and damaged wing, but he's going well."
Ms Davies said with their habitats destroyed, South Coast residents could expect to see more flying foxes in surburban areas - foraging for food in fruit trees in back yards and orchards.
"I'd ask people to understand the importance of flying foxes, they're a keystone species and without them the trees that they pollinate - including some eucalypt and fruit trees - will cease to exist."
She also urged people not to touch them, due to the danger to themselves - and the bats.
"There is no risk if you don't touch - you can only contract Australian bat lyssavirus from a bite or a scratch," she said.
"If the animal scratches or bites you then they have to be euthanised. That's because the only way they can test for the virus is by taking a brain sample."
If you see an injured bat call Wildlife Rescue South Coast on 0418 427 214 or the WIRES rescue line 1300 094 737.
