Flying for its survival

JESSIE the grey-headed flying fox was part of a special presentation yesterday, aimed at addressing local farmer's concerns about the threat of flying foxes destroying their crops.

The issue of flying foxes and food crops was raised at last month's general of the Mary River Catchment Co-ordinating Committee, so this month, Jan Davey from Flying Fox Rescue group was invited to speak on behalf of the species.

Representatives from the dairy, beef, small crops and horticulture industries were interested in hearing Ms Davey shed some light on what has become a difficult subject for farmers since the government banned litigation permits last September.

With no affordable or effective alternatives provided for fruit growers, Ms Davey was asked why flying foxes ate the fruit and what could be done to stop them eating at their orchards.

She explained why they did it: that they fed primarily on the blossoms and nectar of native species, turning to fruit when blossoms were not available.

“Where forests have been cleared or at times when the trees aren't flowering, they may resort to orchards and gardens for food,” Ms Davey said.

“(But) grey-headed flying fox are on the vulnerable list ... while they may appear to be plentiful, their survival is not assured. Their total population has dropped by 30 per cent in the past 10 years.”

This alarming decline has been caused by human activities, Ms Davey said, particularly land clearing for agriculture and urban growth, and shooting.

She said there were some things that could be done to reduce the damage to small-crops without culling the flying fox as called for by many orchardists.

“Plant local native trees and shrubs and protect your fruit trees with nets stretched tight as a trampoline.

“Loose nets injure wildlife horribly.”

Flying Fox Rescue Release Noosa is the first group to be given permission to have a registered release site for rehabilitated flying foxes and banded bats.