Conservationists are urging Far North Queensland residents to give flying-fox mothers and their babies space as the annual birthing season gets underway.

Endangered Spectacled Flying-foxes are beginning to give birth across Far North Queensland, with maternity roosts expected to become busier over the coming months.

The native fruit bats give birth to just one pup each year, making every new arrival important for the recovery of the species.

Wet Tropics Wildlife Rescue Coordinator Kristy Jensen said Spectacled Flying-foxes congregate at maternity roosts during spring and summer.

“The birthing and nursery season typically runs from September through to March, and numbers at maternity roosts can increase significantly during this time,” Ms Jensen said.

“Many maternity roosts are in urban areas and, while having a roost nearby can be challenging for residents, this is seasonal behaviour. By Easter, most roosts will have dispersed to other locations.”

Wildlife carer and FNQ Wildlife Rescue Bat Coordinator Cheryl Hudson said hundreds of flying-fox pups are orphaned or separated from their mothers each year.

“Last year, almost 400 orphaned pups were rescued in the Cairns region alone,” Ms Hudson said.

“Flying-fox mothers carry their young constantly during the first few weeks of life, so this is a particularly vulnerable time.

“Mothers and pups can become separated when roosts are disturbed by loud noises, severe weather or other disturbances.”

Spectacled Flying-foxes play an important role in maintaining healthy rainforests, pollinating flowering plants and dispersing seeds over large distances as they move through the landscape at night.

The species faces significant threats including climate change, habitat loss, paralysis ticks, entanglement in barbed wire and powerlines, and human disturbance.