The Top Secret Mission
It’s time to tell you about the top-secret flying fox mission. Come a bit closer to the screen so we can whisper it in writing.... A flying fox’s mission is to help trees and make forests.
We know what you’re thinking...
How on earth can a bat that’s smaller than a 30cm ruler help make a forest full of big trees?
Well, flying foxes have a super important mission—which has two parts:
Part 1: Pollination
Flying foxes help plants make seeds by pollinating their flowers.
They visit flowers to drink nectar, and while doing that, pollen sticks to their fur and travels with them to the next flower.
[Image credit: Laura Hill 2021]
Part 2: Seed Dispersal
Flying foxes don’t just help make seeds—they also help them travel to new places! This is called seed dispersal, and it helps new trees grow in more places.
[Image credit: Laura Hill 2021]
Trees and Flying Foxes Need Each Other
- Trees give flying foxes food and a place to live.
- Flying foxes help trees make seeds and spread them—so forests can grow!
[Image credit: Laura Hill 2021]
But why should WE care about trees and forests?
Because forests give us clean air, cool shade, homes for animals, and so much more! Without forests, many animals (including humans!) wouldn’t survive.
The Challenge for Flying Foxes
Flying foxes face BIG dangers—and they need our help!
Habitat Loss
Cutting down trees takes away the flying foxes’ food and homes.
When people clear land for houses or farms, animals lose their habitat.
[Image credit: Laura Hill 2021]
Heat Waves
Extreme heat can kill whole colonies of flying foxes in just one day.
A heat wave is when it’s very hot for several days in a row.
[Image credit: Laura Hill 2021]
Barbed Wire
Barbed wire can trap and injure flying foxes, tearing their wings so they can't fly.
[Image credit: Laura Hill 2021]
Fruit Netting
Some netting over fruit trees traps flying foxes, tangling them so badly they can’t escape.
If the netting holes are too big, animals get stuck.
[Image credit: Laura Hill 2021]
People Misunderstand Them
Some people think flying foxes are too noisy, smelly, or scary—so they try to get rid of them.
But flying foxes are not pests. They’re nature’s gardeners.
Will You Join Team Flying Fox?
Help us spread the message:
Flying foxes are SUPER IMPORTANT for our world!
- Tell your friends and family.
- Learn more about them.
- Protect the trees they need to survive.
No Me = No Tree!
Let’s keep our forests growing, with the help of our flying fox friends!
Activities
Identify what Flying foxes need to survive.
- On a blank piece of paper create a forest scene, include features Flying foxes need to survive, and things that challenge their survival.
- Circle the things that help flying foxes and cross out things that harm them.
Work in teams to pollinate flowers by moving “pollen” safely across the playground—just like flying foxes!
How to Play:
Set Up:
Divide the class into 4 relay teams.
Each team has a bucket of pollen (balls) at their “flower” on one side of the playground.
There is an empty flower bucket on the opposite side.
Flying Foxes in Action:
One student at a time from each team runs to deliver a pollen ball to the other flower.
After dropping the pollen ball, they run back and tag the next person.
Keep repeating until the game ends!
Obstacles:
In the middle of the play area, choose 2 students to play the roles of:
Fruit Netting
Barbed Wire
These two students try to tip (gently tag) the flying foxes as they run past.
If You Get Tipped:
You become “tangled” and must link arms with the fruit netting or barbed wire.
Now you join them and help tag other players!
If a flying fox is carrying pollen (ball) when tipped, the pollen drops to the ground.
Any team can pick it up and keep going!
Heat Wave Rule!
When the teacher yells “HEAT WAVE!”:
All flying foxes must do lollipop steps (slow, tiny steps) because it’s too hot to fly!
Fruit netting and barbed wire keep moving as usual.
When the teacher yells “COOL WEATHER!”, flying foxes can run normally again.
Winning the Game:
The team that moves the most pollen (balls) to the second flower bucket by the end wins.
It’s not just about speed—it’s about smart teamwork and staying untangled!
Images 1 & 9: Source: Centennial Parklands
Image 2: Pollination comic. Credit: Laura Hill 2021
Image 3: Seed dispersal comic. Credit: Laura Hill 2021
Image 4: Importance of forests. Credit: Laura Hill 2021
Image 5: Habitat Loss Supervillain illustration. Credit: Laura Hill 2021
Image 6: Heatwave Supervillain illustration. Credit: Laura Hill 2021
Image 7: Barbed Wire Supervillain illustration. Credit: Laura Hill 2021
Image 8: Fruit Netting Supervillain illustration. Credit: Laura Hill 2021