Queensland Tube-nosed Fruit Bat (Nyctimene robinsoni)

Conservation status

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The seasonal pattern below is based on the reported October to December birth period and the species' documented use of nearby fruiting resources. Timing outside the birth period is less certain, especially for mating and movement.

Months are January to December. The timing of mating, gestation and post-birth dependence is not fully known for this species.

• Mating and reproductive preparation: The species is a seasonal breeder, but the supplied sources do not establish the mating months.
• Births: Females are reported to give birth to one pup between October and December.
• Dependent young: The young is carried by the mother until relatively large. Long lactation is expected for the group, with four months or longer reported for a close relative, so dependence may extend into the following year.
• Movement and foraging shifts: Roost and feeding locations change opportunistically as fruit availability changes. Southern populations may move into adjacent open or moist tall open forest for feeding and drinking after hot and dry weather; no fixed migration period is known.
• Highest clearing risk: Clearing and disturbance are most likely to harm the species during the October to December birth period and while young remain dependent. Retained foliage roosts and nearby fruiting trees should also be protected outside this period because roosting and feeding sites can be used year-round.

Identification

This is a small pteropodid bat with a distinctive tube-nosed profile and cryptic spotted wings. It is usually detected at night by direct observation, mist-net capture or its characteristic whistling calls, rather than by ground signs.

Adults have grey to red-brown fur with a dark stripe along the back. The wings are brown and marked with individual yellow or lime-green spots, including spots on the face and ears. The nostrils are long, tubular and protrude about 5 to 6 mm from the face. The eyes are notably bulging.

The wings are short and broad compared with many other Australian bats. The species can hover briefly and turn in place while foraging, which is consistent with movement through dense understorey and sub-canopy foliage.

Identification: Size and sex

The head and body measures about 100 to 110 mm, the tail 20 to 25 mm, the forearm 60 to 70 mm, and mass is generally 30 to 50 g. The available information does not provide a reliable field size range separating males and females.

Sexual differences have been suggested in the pelvic girdle, with females having an open, V-shaped structure and males a more closed, O-shaped structure. These features are not suitable as a primary field identification method for a live bat.

Head and body: 100 to 110 mm

Tail: 20 to 25 mm

Forearm: 60 to 70 mm

Mass: 30 to 50 g

Identification: Field recognition and signs

The combination of tubular nostrils, bulging eyes, yellow or lime-green wing and facial spots, and a dark dorsal stripe distinguishes this species from other Australian bats described in the supplied sources. Confirm identification from clear photographs, a suitably qualified bat ecologist or an experienced fauna spotter catcher where capture or handling is required.

Day-roosting bats may be concealed among dried leaves in dense, sun-mottled sub-canopy foliage. Individuals may roost alone, so a lack of visible bats does not show that suitable foliage is unused. Characteristic whistling calls can indicate presence, and feeding groups may be seen in fruiting trees at night.

No diagnostic tracks, scats, nests, burrows or eyeshine description is provided in the supplied documents.

• Inspect foliage in the sub-canopy and canopy, including isolated rainforest fig trees and trees on forest margins, before clearing.
• Treat a suspected foliage roost as occupied until an appropriately experienced person has assessed it.

Distribution: States and regions

The species occurs along the east coast of Australia from northern New South Wales through coastal Queensland to Cape York Peninsula. Records are scattered at the southern end of the range and the species is listed as Vulnerable under the NSW state listing supplied for this profile.

In Queensland, the species is recorded or expected along the eastern coastal belt, extending north to Cape York Peninsula. In New South Wales, records are concentrated in the north-east, including the Richmond Range State Forest and sites near Lismore.

The species is represented in the South East Queensland bioregion. The habitat model identified core habitat in the McPherson Ranges, from the D'Aguilar Range north towards Fraser Island, and north of Bulburin State Forest. The Bunya Mountains were identified as moderate quality habitat by expert review.

Distribution: Strongholds and population status

The supplied sources do not provide a national population estimate, density estimate, confirmed subpopulation boundaries or a population trend. The South East Queensland modelling assessment rated the final predicted distribution map as high accuracy, but this is a habitat mapping result and not a population estimate.

The species is described as poorly known. Its distribution may be under-recorded because individuals roost singly in foliage and can be difficult to detect during the day.

National population: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Population trend: Not reported in the supplied sources.

NSW status: Vulnerable under the state listing supplied for this profile.

EPBC Act: Not listed.

South East Queensland habitat model: High accuracy; high quality habitat was defined as having a greater than 67% predicted probability of occurrence.

Habitat: Forest types

Queensland tube-nosed fruit bats are primarily associated with moist, structurally complex forest, especially lowland rainforest. They also use some open and modified habitats where suitable foliage roosts and fruiting trees remain.

Recorded or modelled habitat includes complex notophyll vine forest, Araucarian notophyll vine forest, mixed tall open forest and sclerophyll vegetation. The species is also reported from primary forest, second-growth forest near mangroves, hind-dune mangroves, isolated tropical fig trees and urban or agricultural areas.

In South East Queensland, high quality habitat was associated with relatively undisturbed areas with high and regular rainfall. The model identified rainfall of the wettest month, biophysical naturalness and rainfall seasonality as important habitat variables.

Habitat: Structural features

Suitable sites provide a forest sub-canopy or canopy with dense, sun-mottled foliage in which a solitary bat can remain concealed. Rainforest fruit trees, particularly cauliflorous or trunk-fruiting trees, are important within or near these forests.

The species may use exposed trees on forest margins, so a cleared edge or isolated tree should not automatically be treated as unsuitable. Records also include isolated tropical fig trees and second-growth forest near mangroves.

• Retain connected rainforest and moist forest vegetation where practicable.
• Retain mature and fruiting trees, including figs and lillypillies, and avoid removing isolated trees that connect or adjoin forest patches.
• Inspect foliage and canopy structure before clearing, including at forest edges and in regrowth near mangroves.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

The supplied sources describe the species as tropical and coastal, with records extending inland to the Culmaran Creek valley in Richmond Range State Forest, about 84 km east of the coast. They do not provide a confirmed elevation limit.

Southern populations may move into adjacent open forest and moist tall open forest for occasional foraging and drinking, particularly after prolonged hot and dry weather.

Farthest inland record described: Culmaran Creek valley, approximately 84 km east of the coast.

Elevation limit: Not provided in the supplied sources.

Foraging habitat: Food plants

This bat is a specialist frugivore that feeds mainly in the forest understorey and lower canopy. Fruiting trees near a day roost can attract several individuals even though the bats generally roost alone.

The main recorded foods are fruits from three fig species, Ficus copiosa, Ficus nodosa and Ficus variegata. Other recorded foods include lillypilly, Syzygium cordiflorum, and fruits of guava, Psidium guajava, soursop, Annona muricata, and pioneer Ficus racemos around abandoned pasture.

Nectar, pollen and flowers are also reported in the diet. Females have been observed feeding on soursop, possibly because of increased nutritional requirements during pregnancy and lactation.

Foraging habitat: Foraging behaviour and range

Foraging is mainly in the understorey, where the bats visit cauliflorous, or trunk-fruiting, trees. Fruit may be eaten at the source or carried away. Several bats may feed in one tree, sometimes with spectacled flying-foxes.

Most feeding is reported within 200 m of the day roost, although captured individuals have been recorded 63 to 1,012 m from roosting sites. Roost and feeding locations may change when food availability changes.

Typical foraging distance: Within 200 m of the day roost.

Recorded capture distance from roost: 63 to 1,012 m.

• Map fruiting figs, lillypillies and other known food plants within at least 200 m of suspected foliage roosts.
• Avoid clearing or night works around active fruiting trees where bats are observed feeding.
• Check adjoining forest and open forest where southern populations may drink or forage during hot and dry conditions.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

The breeding biology of this species is poorly documented. Available information indicates seasonal breeding, a single pup and use of forest foliage and nearby fruit resources by females and dependent young.

Females are reported to give birth to one pup between October and December. The young is altricial and is carried by the mother until relatively large. Long lactation is expected for the group, with a close tube-nosed fruit bat relative reported to lactate for four months or longer.

The supplied sources do not provide a confirmed gestation period, age at maturity or species-specific lifespan. They also provide little information about mating behaviour or parental care beyond female care.

Breeding type: Seasonal breeder.

Birth period: October to December.

Litter size: One pup.

Gestation: Not known for this species; approximately three and a half months is reported for a close Philippine relative.

Lactation: Not confirmed for this species; four months or longer is reported for a close relative.

Age at maturity: Not reported in the supplied sources.

Lifespan: Not known for this species; old world fruit bats are reported to live at least 30 years.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Breeding habitat is expected to include intact or partly intact rainforest and other moist forest with sheltered foliage roosts, nearby fruiting trees and sufficient canopy connectivity for movement. Females carrying young are likely to depend on access to food near the day roost.

Because the species roosts singly and changes foliage roosts opportunistically, clearing assessments should consider a group of suitable trees and not only a single visible roost.

• Retain dense sub-canopy foliage and fruiting trees around known or suspected roosts during the October to December birth period and the following dependent-young period.
• Use a suitably experienced bat ecologist to assess suspected foliage roosts before vegetation removal.

Sheltering habitat: Foliage roosts

The principal known shelter is a solitary day roost in foliage rather than a cave, hollow or communal camp. Roosts can be inconspicuous and may change over short periods.

Individuals generally roost alone in the rainforest sub-canopy, often among dried leaves that provide camouflage. Reported roost heights range from approximately 4 to 6 m above ground to higher canopy positions.

Known day-roost settings include primary forest, isolated tropical fig trees, hind-dune mangroves, second-growth forest near mangroves and exposed trees on forest margins. Short-term site fidelity has been observed during periods of ripe fruit abundance, but roost switching may occur as a predator-avoidance response.

Typical roosting habit: Solitary, in sub-canopy or canopy foliage.

Reported roost height: Approximately 4 to 6 m above ground, or higher in the canopy.

• Inspect dense foliage, dried leaves and canopy layers before clearing, including trees at forest margins and isolated rainforest figs.
• Do not rely on ground searches alone, because a solitary bat may be concealed above eye level.
• Where a bat is found roosting, establish a site-specific exclusion and monitoring approach with the project ecologist and relevant state requirements.

Sheltering habitat: Roost assessment on project sites

The NSW forestry review identifies species-specific protection for Nyctimene robinsoni involving a 100 m exclusion zone on either side of a stream for 500 m upstream and downstream of a known record. This is a forestry prescription recommendation and should not be applied as a substitute for current project approvals or state guidance.

The same review recommends pre-operation inspection of likely microchiropteran roost trees within 200 m, with likely roost trees including dead stags greater than 30 cm diameter at breast height or large trees with accessible base hollows. These features are general bat roost indicators and are not described as the normal roost type for this species.

• Check the current approval conditions and state threatened-species requirements before applying any exclusion distance.
• Record the tree location, roost height, foliage type, bat behaviour, date, weather and confidence of identification.
• Use staged clearing and a fauna spotter catcher where a bat or likely roost cannot be safely assessed before removal.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main documented risks are loss and fragmentation of lowland rainforest, disturbance or removal of foliage roosts, loss of fruiting trees and entanglement in fencing or orchard netting. Development can increase these risks by removing small forest patches and separating roosts from nearby food trees.

Clearance and fragmentation of lowland rainforest are identified threats. Removal of rainforest, moist open forest, forest margins, isolated figs and second-growth vegetation near mangroves can remove both roosting foliage and food plants.

Fragmentation may increase the distance between solitary day roosts and fruiting trees. Individuals usually forage within 200 m of the day roost, although movements of up to 1,012 m from roosts have been recorded.

• Avoid clearing intact rainforest and retain links between forest patches where practicable.
• Prioritise retention of mature foliage-bearing and fruiting trees within 200 m of known records or suspected roosts.
• Inspect isolated trees and narrow vegetation remnants before removal, not only continuous forest.

Threats: Construction disturbance

Noise, vibration, lighting, machinery and night works may disturb roosting or feeding bats, particularly where works occur beside foliage roosts or fruiting trees. The supplied sources do not quantify species-specific noise, light or vibration thresholds.

A known record near a stream may trigger the NSW forestry review recommendation for a 100 m exclusion zone on both sides of the stream for 500 m upstream and downstream. Project teams must confirm whether that prescription applies to the site.

• Schedule vegetation removal outside the October to December birth period where practicable, and retain suitable foliage during the dependent-young period.
• Avoid directing bright lighting into retained rainforest canopy, fruiting trees or suspected roosts.
• Stop work and seek ecological advice if a roosting bat or dependent young is found.

Threats: Fences, nets and predators

Barbed-wire entanglement is identified as a conservation concern in New South Wales. Orchard netting can also entangle bats, causing animals to remain trapped and die from starvation.

Cryptic daytime colouration and reduced activity during full moon phases are described as predator-avoidance behaviours. The supplied sources do not identify a quantified predation rate or a project-specific predator control measure.

• Avoid barbed wire beside retained rainforest and known flight paths where a safer fence design can be used.
• Use bat-safe orchard and exclusion netting, with regular inspections during fruiting periods.
• Do not leave loose netting, wire or construction mesh accessible to flying bats.

Threats: Fire, hydrology and disease

The supplied documents do not give a species-specific fire regime, fire interval, hydrological threshold or disease profile for Nyctimene robinsoni. General protection of rainforest, mangrove-edge vegetation and moist forest is supported because these habitats contain reported roosts and food resources.

Southern populations may require drinking after prolonged hot and dry weather and may move into adjacent open or moist tall open forest. Hydrology change, drying of rainforest or loss of water near forest may therefore reduce habitat quality, although the effect is not quantified in the supplied sources.

Parasitic Meristaspis mites have been recorded from the species. No disease outbreak or population-level disease threat is reported.

• Prevent unnecessary drainage, sediment movement and alteration of wet forest or mangrove-edge vegetation.
• Retain water access and moist vegetation near known habitat, particularly during hot and dry periods.
• Do not burn retained rainforest, foliage roosts or fruiting trees as part of site preparation unless an approved ecological fire plan specifically addresses this species.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat and day-roost inspection

Nyctimene robinsoni is a nocturnal, foliage-roosting fruit bat associated mainly with lowland rainforest and other structurally complex vegetation. The supplied survey guideline lists the species but does not provide a species-specific effort table in the available extract, so survey design must be set by a suitably experienced bat ecologist and adjusted to the habitat, season and proposed disturbance.

Inspect lowland rainforest, complex notophyll vine forest, Araucarian notophyll vine forest, mixed tall open forest, sclerophyll vegetation, forest margins, hind-dune mangroves and second-growth forest near mangroves.

Search the rainforest sub-canopy and canopy, particularly dense foliage and dried leaves where the species can be well camouflaged.

Inspect likely foliage roosts from ground level and, where safe and authorised, from elevated vantage points. Individuals may roost alone about 4 to 6 m above ground or higher in the canopy.

Give particular attention to primary forest, isolated fig trees, forest margins and fruiting trees.

Repeat inspections where practical because day-roost sites can change as fruit availability and predator risk change.

Typical day-roost height reported: About 4 to 6 m above ground, with some individuals higher and out of sight in the canopy

Reported roosting behaviour: Usually solitary, with short-term site fidelity and opportunistic changes in roost location

• Record the location, vegetation type, canopy structure, roost height where visible, tree species, foliage density, signs of use and confidence in each observation.

Survey methodology: 2. Nocturnal spotlighting and direct observation

Conduct nocturnal searches around retained rainforest, forest margins, fig trees, other fruiting trees and likely day-roost areas.

Search the vegetation below and around the canopy, including fruiting trees within about 200 m of a suspected day roost.

Use red-filtered or dimmed light where practicable and avoid prolonged illumination of a roosting animal.

Look for the species' short, broad-winged flight, hovering and manoeuvring near fruiting trees, and its brown wings with yellow or lime-green spots.

Record weather, temperature, wind, cloud, rainfall, moon phase, start and finish times, observers, search route and fruiting condition. The species may reduce activity during full moon and cooler months.

Usual activity period: Nocturnal

Typical feeding distance reported: Within 200 m of the day roost, although captures have occurred 63 to 1012 m from roosts

Useful identification cues: Large tubular nostrils, yellow to green spotting on the wings, face and ears, and a dark dorsal stripe

• Undertake searches on multiple suitable nights rather than relying on one negative result, because the species can move between roosting and feeding locations.
• Select nights with safe access, suitable visibility and low wind and rainfall, and document any departure from those conditions.

Survey methodology: 3. Acoustic and fruit-resource survey

Use ultrasonic detectors and, where appropriate, audible-call recording as supplementary methods around rainforest, fruiting trees, retained corridors and proposed clearing areas.

The species has characteristic whistling calls, but acoustic detections should be confirmed where possible because call identification and species separation may be difficult.

Place detectors near likely roosting and feeding habitat, including fruiting fig trees and other cauliflorous or understory fruiting trees.

Inspect and record fruit resources, especially Ficus copiosa, Ficus nodosa, Ficus variegata, Syzygium corniflorum and other known or locally important fruiting trees.

• Treat acoustic data as evidence of use of an area, not proof of a roost location, unless supported by direct observation or other reliable evidence.
• Coordinate detector deployment with spotlighting and habitat inspection so that records can be linked to vegetation, fruit availability and weather.

Survey methodology: 4. Survey timing and effort

Time surveys to cover periods when the species is active and when suitable fruiting resources are present. Include the warmer, fruit-available period where practicable and record the limitations of surveys conducted during cooler months.

Consider targeted follow-up during the reported birth period from October to December if works could affect occupied rainforest or feeding habitat.

There is no species-specific number of nights, hours, transect length, detector nights or survey area in the supplied extract from the national bat survey guideline. Set the effort in a written survey design using habitat extent, accessibility, proposed clearing footprint, season and the consequences of a false negative.

Use the Queensland habitat model as a regional screening tool only. It identified relatively undisturbed areas with high and regular rainfall as higher quality habitat, with core areas including the McPherson Ranges, the D'Aguilar Range to Fraser Island and areas north of Bulburin State Forest.

• Survey all suitable habitat within the impact area and connected retained habitat that could be used for roosting, feeding or movement.
• Expand the search beyond the clearing boundary where the works could affect fruiting trees, canopy continuity, night lighting, noise or access to nearby roosting habitat.
• Have a suitably experienced bat ecologist review the proposed effort and determine whether additional survey is needed before a negative finding is relied upon.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

• Do not describe the species as absent solely because it was not detected during a single inspection or night.
• Use a combination of habitat inspection, nocturnal observation and acoustic or audible-call recording where the habitat and project risk justify it.
• Record all survey locations as spatial data, including negative survey areas, detector positions, search routes, suspected roosts, feeding trees and retained habitat.
• Record the survey date, time, observers, methods, effort, weather, moon phase, habitat condition, fruit availability, equipment settings and detection confidence.
• Use the current accepted name, Nyctimene robinsoni, and the accepted common name, eastern tube-nosed bat, in project records.
• Submit confirmed records and reliable negative or incidental records to the relevant state wildlife database, in accordance with the database's current data standards.
• Report survey limitations, including inaccessible canopy, poor weather, unsuitable season, incomplete access and the possibility of mobile or concealed individuals.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan the project around retention of rainforest structure, fruiting resources and connected canopy. In New South Wales, the species is listed as vulnerable, and the supplied forestry review recommends a species-specific exclusion zone around a known record.

NSW forestry review recommendation: 100 m exclusion zone on either side of a stream for 500 m upstream and downstream of a known record

• Avoid clearing lowland rainforest, complex vine forest, rainforest margins, isolated fig trees, hind-dune mangroves and second-growth forest near mangroves wherever practicable.
• Retain mature and fruiting trees, dense sub-canopy foliage, canopy links, riparian vegetation and forest edges used for movement and feeding.
• Retain connected vegetation between known or suspected roosts and nearby feeding trees. Treat gaps, night lighting and high-use access routes as potential movement barriers.
• Avoid removing a fruiting tree during the period when it is supporting feeding bats unless the ecologist has assessed the risk and the work cannot be staged.
• In New South Wales, apply the review's recommended 100 m exclusion zone on either side of a stream for 500 m upstream and downstream of a known Nyctimene robinsoni record as a project control unless a current approval or species prescription requires a different measure.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project controls

• Confirm the species' current conservation listing and approval requirements in each state or territory where the project occurs.
• The supplied project information identifies the species as not listed under the EPBC Act and vulnerable under the NSW listing, so check whether the project affects another nationally listed value or requires state approval, permit or referral for clearing, handling or relocation.
• Obtain any required wildlife research, scientific, rehabilitation, animal ethics or fauna handling permissions before survey or works begin.
• Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies habitat to retain, survey methods, exclusion areas, lighting controls, stop-work triggers, handling authority, release sites, veterinary arrangements and reporting responsibilities.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance preparation

• Complete the approved pre-clearance survey before vegetation removal and update it if the clearing footprint, timing or habitat condition changes.
• Mark the clearing boundary, retained rainforest, fruiting trees, suspected roosts, buffers, movement corridors and no-go areas on plans and on the ground.
• Use exclusion fencing where it can keep machinery, workers and stored materials out of retained habitat without blocking animal movement.
• Brief machinery operators and supervisors on the species' appearance, solitary foliage-roosting behaviour, likely canopy locations and the stop-work process.
• Schedule high-noise, high-light or canopy-removing work away from the period of highest local fruit availability where practicable, and assess October to December works carefully because this is the reported birth period.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Use a spotter catcher who can communicate directly with the operator and stop work immediately. The species is small, cryptic and usually solitary, so canopy and foliage inspections must not be treated as optional during habitat removal.

• Inspect the work area each day before machinery enters, including retained vegetation, canopy edges, fruiting trees and any previously identified roost or feeding locations.
• Recheck areas after overnight weather, changes to the work footprint or delays that could allow an animal to move into the work zone.
• Keep machinery outside marked exclusion areas and maintain the agreed lighting, noise and access controls around retained habitat.
• Position the fauna spotter catcher where they can see the vegetation being disturbed and communicate continuously with the operator by radio or agreed hand signals.
• Remove vegetation in stages, starting with low-risk ground and edge vegetation and progressing only after the spotter catcher has checked the next section.
• Use low-impact lighting directed away from retained canopy and avoid illuminating suspected roost foliage for longer than needed for safety or inspection.

During habitat disturbance: Habitat feature handling

• Inspect foliage, sub-canopy branches, canopy gaps and fruiting trees immediately before felling, trimming or major disturbance.
• Do not assume that a tree without hollows is unused. This species has been reported roosting in foliage, including rainforest sub-canopy leaves and exposed trees on forest margins.
• Retain intact fruiting trees and large connected canopy wherever practicable, and avoid dropping vegetation into retained rainforest or riparian buffers.
• If a tree or branch containing a bat must be removed, stop and obtain direction from the authorised fauna handler before cutting further.
• Handle any captured or displaced bat only under the project approval and by a person authorised and competent to handle flying-foxes and other fruit bats.
• Do not chase an animal through the canopy or attempt an unplanned capture. Keep people, vehicles and machinery clear and allow an ecologist to choose the safest response.

During habitat disturbance: Animal found, injury and stop-work response

• Stop work immediately if a bat is seen, heard in distress, trapped, injured or exposed by vegetation removal, or if the spotter catcher cannot safely inspect the next work area.
• Establish a quiet exclusion area and keep workers, machinery, dogs and unauthorised people away from the animal.
• Do not handle the bat unless the handler is authorised, trained and equipped for fruit bats, including appropriate bite and zoonotic disease precautions.
• If the animal can move safely, allow it to leave without pursuit and record the direction of movement and the retained habitat available nearby.
• If relocation is required, the authorised ecologist should place the animal in suitable nearby retained habitat with connected canopy and feeding resources, subject to approval and animal welfare requirements.
• Take an injured or compromised animal promptly to the nominated veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer, using the approved wildlife rescue process.
• Resume work only after the fauna spotter catcher and environmental officer have inspected the area, documented the response and confirmed that the trigger has been cleared.

During habitat disturbance: Records and incident reporting

• Record every sighting, call, capture, release, injury, mortality, escape, failed inspection and stop-work event, including date, time, location, habitat, activity, weather and people involved.
• Record the animal's condition, identification confidence, photographs where safe, handling time, release location and any veterinary or wildlife-carer transfer.
• Notify the project environmental officer and approval holder of incidents within the timeframe set by the fauna management plan or approval.
• Submit confirmed records to the relevant state wildlife database and report any notifiable incident to the regulator where required.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Clearance is not complete when the machinery leaves. Check for displaced or injured bats, protect the retained habitat and verify that the project has not removed the fruiting and canopy resources needed for this species.

• Inspect the cleared area, retained edges, fallen foliage and nearby canopy immediately after each staged clearance event and again at the next suitable daylight period.
• Check for live, injured, dead or trapped bats and follow the approved handling and veterinary response if one is found.
• Confirm that buffers, retained trees, canopy links and no-go areas remain intact and that machinery has not entered them.
• Inspect retained fruiting trees and rainforest margins for windthrow, edge damage, excessive dust, light spill, weed invasion or altered access.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and maintenance

• Monitor retained rainforest, suspected roost areas, fruiting trees and movement corridors using the methods and frequency specified in the fauna management plan.
• Repeat nocturnal observation or acoustic monitoring if the project caused substantial canopy loss, changed night lighting, removed fruiting resources or produced a new record.
• Maintain exclusion fencing, signage, lighting controls and access restrictions until the environmental officer confirms that the risk has ended.
• Investigate any decline in fruiting resources, new bat records, repeated bat displacement or use of adjacent urban and orchard areas.

After habitat disturbance: Reporting and offsets

• Provide the regulator, approval holder and project records with survey effort, clearance areas, habitat retained, incidents, releases, mortalities, monitoring results and unresolved risks.
• Assess offsets or other compensatory measures where required by an approval or state framework, prioritising protection and restoration of suitable lowland rainforest, connected canopy and fruiting habitat.
• Do not treat an offset as a substitute for avoiding the removal of occupied or high-quality habitat.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore food and roost habitat

Rehabilitation should restore the species' feeding and day-roost structure, not just ground cover. Prioritise connected rainforest and forest-edge vegetation with fruiting trees and a dense sub-canopy.

Habitat structure to restore: Rainforest sub-canopy and canopy foliage, connected forest, forest margins and fruiting trees

Known food plants reported: Ficus copiosa, Ficus nodosa, Ficus variegata and Syzygium corniflorum, plus other fruiting plants

• Replant locally appropriate rainforest and vine-forest species suited to the site's soil, rainfall and reference community.
• Include locally suitable fig and other fruiting species where they occur naturally in the reference vegetation, with particular attention to Ficus copiosa, Ficus nodosa, Ficus variegata and Syzygium corniflorum where appropriate to the site.
• Create continuous canopy and sub-canopy structure between retained forest patches, suspected roost areas and fruiting trees.
• Restore forest margins and riparian vegetation where these connect rainforest to nearby feeding habitat.
• Do not rely on nest boxes as the primary replacement measure because the species is reported to roost in foliage rather than tree hollows.

Rehabilitation actions: Site treatments and threat reduction

• Control weeds that suppress rainforest regeneration or reduce the density and diversity of native sub-canopy foliage.
• Design night lighting so that retained and rehabilitated canopy is not directly illuminated and movement routes remain dark.
• Remove or modify hazardous barbed wire near retained or restored habitat where practicable, because entanglement has been identified as a threat to the species.
• Use fauna-friendly orchard netting and inspect it regularly where rehabilitation occurs near fruit production.
• Manage fire in accordance with the site's ecological fire plan and avoid fire regimes that damage lowland rainforest, dense sub-canopy foliage or fruiting trees.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

• Monitor plant survival, canopy development, sub-canopy density, weed cover, fruiting resource establishment and connectivity between retained patches.
• Use nocturnal observation and acoustic recording to test whether bats continue to use retained habitat and begin using rehabilitated areas as vegetation develops.
• Treat success as establishment of a connected native canopy and sub-canopy with suitable fruiting resources, not merely completion of planting numbers.
• Investigate and rectify failed plantings, persistent weeds, light spill, erosion, fire damage or loss of connectivity.
• Keep monitoring records and submit new confirmed records to the relevant state wildlife database.

Sources

• Review of statewide protective measures and forest practices, Australian Government DCCEEW: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/rfa/regions/nsw-statewide/na45esfm_ProtectiveMeasures-Statewide.pdf
• assessment of habitat quality for priority species in ..., Australian Government DCCEEW: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/sitecollectiondocuments/rfa/regions/qld-south-east/enviroment/habitat-quality/qld_se_eh2b.pdf
• Nyctimene robinsoni (Queensland tube-nosed fruit bat), animaldiversity.org: https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Nyctimene_robinsoni/
• Survey guidelines for Australia's threatened bats, Australian Government DCCEEW: https://www.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/survey-guidelines-bats.pdf