Flying foxes (fruitbats) are megachiropterans. They are important in forest ecology both as pollinators and as seed dispersers. Pteropus alecto - the black flying fox - is the largest species in Australia, and, with a wingspan exceding a metre, among the largest bats in the world. This species is resident throughout the year in Townsville and surrounds, occupying large 'camps' in the mangroves through the day and dispersing great distances across country just after sunset. Flights of hundreds of animals an hour can be seen along the main aerial access routes to the 'camps'.

Department members are prominent in the local 'bat-carers' society, looking after young bats orphaned when their mothers become entangled in power lines. Flying foxes are social animals and are easily fostered, however while their carers are accepted as valued companions the babies do not imprint on humans and readily rejoin the bat camps where they live perfectly normal lives.