Photo © WPSQ Wildlife Queensland is extremely concerned that the on-going conflict between humans and flying foxes has recently re-surfaced in a number of communities throughout Queensland. There is a push from orchardists around Bundaberg to reverse the Bligh Government’s positive initiative to ban the use of shotguns as a means of take for implementing damage mitigation permits after the practice was declared inhumane by the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in 2008. Wildlife Queensland is of the understanding that there are a small number of residents at Bargara, Bundaberg seeking to have a small colony of flying foxes relocated. There have also been a number of complaints about flying foxes in local Quest Newspapers in south-east Queensland.
Conflicts between humans and flying foxes have a long history in Australia. Farmers and fruit growers can use a range of methods to prevent flying foxes from raiding their orchards, with exclusion netting being an effective technique. With the spread of cities and towns and or the relocation of flying fox camps for a variety of reasons interaction continues. Several local authorities have added or continue to add fuel to the fire by siding with their rate payers. Flying fox camp dispersals are not the answer. Education is the answer but it is doubtful that it can give effect to a community change in the short term.
Wildlife Queensland is calling on the Government to remain firm and ensure that flying foxes and their habitats are given strong protection.
Flying fox numbers have decreased dramatically over the last 50 years due to loss of habitat and poor management procedures. Flying foxes play a vital role in the reproduction, regeneration and dispersal of plants within rainforests, eucalypt forests, woodlands and wetlands.
What Wildlife Queensland is doing
Wildlife Queensland recently wrote to the Hon Kate Jones MP, Minister for Environment and Resource Management asking her to remain firm and protect flying foxes and their habitat.
More information
For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email. |
