BatPod

Sunshine Coast Council acknowledges the Sunshine Coast Country where this podcast was recorded, home of the Kabi Kabi Peoples and Jinibara Peoples, the Traditional Custodians, whose lands and waters we all now share. We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging – and acknowledge the important role First Nations People continue to play within the Sunshine Coast community.Welcome to Bat Pod! Sunshine Coast Council’s choose your own adventure podcast about flying-foxes. If you are aged 10 to 15 then this is the RIGHT mission for you! We live in one of the most beautiful parts of the planet – we’ve got the stunning coastline and breathtaking hinterlands – the Sunshine Coast really is paradise… So it’s not surprising other creatures want to live here too – but sometimes, they actually have no choice. Like for flying-foxes – they’re living closer to humans because of habitat loss across Australia. These animals are vital to our environment – however, they can be noisy, smelly and messy neighbours.So join me, Tyron, and the team at Sunshine Coast Council as we try to problem solve ways to live alongside these animals peacefully. Key points from this episode:• Flying-foxes are also known as bats or fruit bats because they eat fruits, nectar and pollen.• They’re mammals, they usually give birth to one live young per year. • They are part of the order Chiroptera, which means they’ve got hand wings – and have five digits.• On the Sunshine Coast we have three main flying-fox species – the little red flying-fox, the black flying-fox and the grey headed flying-fox. • The Sunshine Coast region is made up of land of two First Nations groups – the Kabi Kabi and the Jinibara people. They’ve been here for tens of thousands of years.• Flying-foxes are the main night time pollinators – which means many species of plants rely on them.  • Flying-foxes play a vital role in the pollination and seed dispersal of more than 100 plant species . • Without flying-foxes there would be no Koalas.Go to Episode 1.

In episode 1, we meet Uncle Lyndon Davis and Uncle BJ MurphyKey points from this episode:• Flying-fox in Kabi Kabi language is Garrimundi or Girrimundi • Flying-fox in Jinibara language is Bar BarUncle Lyndon asks what town is named after flying-foxes. Here’s a hint – it sounds similar to a word you learnt in this episode…If you think it’s Kawana, go to the episode titled Kawana.If you feel like the correct answer is Currimundi, go to the episode called Currimundi.

You’ve chosen Kawana – listen in to see if it’s the correct answer..........................................................................................Kawana is the incorrect answer. Kawana is actually derived from the Kabi Kabi word for wild flower - guana. So Kawana actually means Place of the Wild Flower. In Kabi Kabi culture this region is women’s country. Go to the episode titled Currimundi.

You’ve chosen Currimundi – listen in to hear if it’s the correct answer............................................................................Currimundi is the correct answer. It translates into Place of the Flying-fox and is derived from the Kabi Kabi words Garrimundi or Girrimundi.To learn more about Jinibara and Kabi Kabi culture, you can contact:Uncle BJ Murphy at https://www.munnimbahdja.comUncle Lyndon Davis https://www.facebook.com/gubbigubbidanceAt the end of this episode you are faced with a challenge. You find a flying-fox lying on the ground but you’re not sure if it’s sick or injured. What do you do? Pick up the flying-fox to get a closer look to see if it has an injury or illness? Go to episode 2.Or, tell the nearest adult and call the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL? Go to episode 3.

You decide to pick up the flying fox to see if it’s sick or injured. This is the incorrect answer as flying-foxes are wild animals and can carry diseases. To find out the correct answer go to episode 3.

You are correct! You should never pick up or touch a flying-fox as they might carry diseases. If you find an injured or sick animal, tell an adult, and call the RSPCA on 1300 ANIMAL.