Working together to protect the southern bent-wing bat

Limestone Coast Landscape Board will be working with the National southern bent-wing bat recovery team, First Nations people and landholders in the region to increase education and awareness around these precious creatures.

To help prevent the extinction of this species the project will focus on:

  • Increasing the potential use of roosting caves in the area with the removal of weeds and rubbish.
  • Restoring foraging habitat.
  • Installing artificial watering systems to be used in drought conditions.
  • Increasing landholder knowledge.

What's happening

  • Controlling invasive weeds around roosting caves

    Caves offer cool, damp conditions, providing the perfect environment for invasive blackberry to thrive! But weeds can have a bad impact on bats.

    Blackberry growth became so dense at some cave entrances, it blocked access for the southern bent-wing bat. Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Limestone Coast Landscape Officers have been hard at work clearing weeds from the entrances of roosting caves.

    As a result, southern bent-wing bats are returning to these caves.

  • Drinking water trails

    Understanding the water needs of the southern bent-wing bat is important, with the winter of 2024–25 among the driest on record. Partners of the project, The Southern Bent-wing Bat Recovery Team, along with Limestone Coast Landscape Board project staff, have been using thermal infrared cameras and bat detectors to monitor permanent dams and temporary waterholes.

  • Bat detector installation

    Bat detectors have been set up in bushland on six local properties to listen in on the high-pitched calls bats make as they fly by.

    These clever devices capture the ultrasonic calls of passing bats. Specialized software helps identify which species are visiting. Each participating landholder will get a report on species of bats that were detected, and some tips on how to support and protect them.

    Do you want to know what bats are calling at your property?

    Contact Cassie today.


    Contact us 

  • Technology supporting researchers on the project

    Audiomoths are special audio recorders that can capture sounds far beyond what human ears can hear — including the ultrasonic echolocation calls of bats. Project staff have been placing these devices in selected caves to learn more about the movements of southern bent-wing bats. Non-breeding caves are rarely surveyed to avoid disturbing the bats. Audiomoths offer a low-impact way to gather vital information.

Get involved

  • Expressions of interest

    Find out how you can reduce pesticide use on your property.

    Bats are natural pest controllers. Find out how you can support the southern bent-wing bat all while reducing pests on your property.

    Submit interest 

What you can do to support the southern bent-wing bat

  • Maintain permanent water sources

  • Prevent stock and human access to roosting caves

Distribution

The southern bent-wing bat can be found across the Limestone Coast

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Cassie Hlava

Project Coordinator

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News

  • Continuing to deliver on ground action

    Limestone Coast Landscape Board has successfully been appointed as Regional Delivery Partner for the Australian Government. With an initial investment of approx. 2.5 million into the Limestone Coast region until June 2028.

    Read more 

Project team

Dr. Robbie Andrew
Acting Team Leader Habitat Conservation
Cassie Hlava
Project Coordinator

Rachael Schroder
Engagement and Communication Coordinator

Project partners

Southern bent-wing bat - National Recovery Team

The National Recovery Team for the southern bent-wing bat was established in 2019. The team was formed to prevent this species from coming extinct.