Ep 6. Australia: Going Bats Down Under

The Jeff Corwin Experience takes viewers on a wild ride through the Australian outback in season 3 episode 6, Australia: Going Bats Down Under. In this episode, Jeff Corwin explores the fascinating and often misunderstood world of bats.

Jeff's journey begins in Cairns, Queensland, where he meets up with bat expert Dr. Les Hall. Dr. Hall takes Jeff into the rainforest to search for the elusive spectacled flying fox, one of the largest species of bat in Australia. Jeff and his team fly through the trees on a zip line, searching for the flying foxes, who are feeding on fruits high up in the canopy.

Next, Jeff and Dr. Hall head to the Atherton Tablelands, where they visit a wildlife sanctuary that specializes in fruit bats. Here, Jeff learns about the important role that bats play in the ecosystem, as pollinators and seed dispersers. He also gets a chance to handle some of the sanctuary's bats, including the adorable grey-headed flying fox.

Moving on to the city of Sydney, Jeff meets up with bat conservationist Tim Pearson. Tim takes Jeff to a park in the heart of the city, where thousands of grey-headed flying foxes roost during the day. Jeff watches in awe as the sky fills with bats, taking flight as the sun sets over the city.

Finally, Jeff heads to the remote Tiwi Islands, where he joins a team of scientists studying some of the rarest and most endangered bats in the world. Jeff helps the team to capture and tag the bats, as they collect data on their behavior and movements.

Throughout the episode, Jeff dispels common myths and misconceptions about bats, and highlights the critical importance of bat conservation. He also showcases the incredible diversity of bats in Australia, from the tiny insectivorous microbats to the large, fruit-eating flying foxes.

Australia: Going Bats Down Under is a thrilling and educational adventure, as Jeff Corwin uncovers the fascinating world of bats, and the crucial role they play in our ecosystem.