Photo © WPSQWildlife Queensland is aware of findings of a recent survey that reflects increasing public antagonism towards flying foxes and crocodiles.
'Antagonism against native fauna appears to be on the increase' said Des Boyland. 'This is extremely disappointing. Perhaps it is fuelled by a lack of understanding of many people of the critical role fauna play in the ecological processes that provide fresh air, clean water and forests we enjoy.'
'All native animals are protected by law. Removal of an animal from a site is not the solution for when an animal is removed others take its place. In spite of all the efforts by the Queensland Government and conservation organizations the message simply has not got through to the broader community. We have to share, people must learn to coexist.' stated Boyland.
Wildlife Queensland knows the Queensland Government is concerned about wildlife and human interaction. The Government is charged with achieving the balance-protection and conservation of wildlife and sustainable development.
Until 1974 crocodiles were hunted to the brink of extinction.
'The growing population is crowding in on crocodile territory, developing swamps, clearing mangroves (legally or not) and building on riverbanks resulting in more encounters. Habitat destruction is the biggest treat to crocodile survival' said Mr Boyland. 'Croc wise Education was developed to inform the public about the value of crocodiles and their habitat but do people listen. I don't think so. Inappropriate activities inviting tragic outcomes continue to occur.'
The Government has a management plan in place. Crocodiles deemed to pose a threat following appropriate assessment are removed. The plan is working, crocodile numbers are on the increase as they should be, if people do the right thing there is no need to overreact.
'As for flying foxes, if you enjoy the eucalypt and rain forests as we know them today, leave the flying foxes alone.' said Mr Boyland. 'Flying foxes have an important role in pollinating and dispersing our native plants.'
'Granted their camps may be smelly and noisy but overclearing of their natural habitats and food sources have forced relocation to areas where interaction with people has become more frequent.' stated Mr Boyland. 'Again concerns about spreading disease are based largely on misinformation and misunderstanding. Flying foxes are natural hosts of the Hendra virus but despite extensive research the route of transmission to horses remains unknown. Manifestation of the virus in flying foxes has been attributed to stress brought about by overclearing of vegetation. The only known transmission route is from horses to humans. Only a small percentage of bats carry the Australian Bat Lyssavirus and again if people availed themselves of copious information available risk is extremely minimal.'
'Can the Government do more? Of course they can but on the whole people demand other priorities. However without a healthy environment, with ecological processes fully functional life would not be as we know it today. Wiping out native species that are part of our natural biodiversity is not the answer. We must learn to share and coexist.'
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