Flying Fox Conservation Issues

Flying foxes are vital part of the forest ecosystem and perform a valuable service in maintaining the health of forests by cross-pollinating and dispersing seeds of a large number of native trees.

Flying Foxes in Urban Areas

It has become increasingly common for flying fox camps to be located in urban areas. In addition camp sizes are often larger than in the past and more permanent. There is no definitive explanation for why this shift has taken place but there are a few possible explanations.
Urban sprawl, a phenomena common in most Australian cities, has meant that on occasion colonies that were previously located in bushland are now part of the urban communities.
Additionally, clearing of Eucalyptus forest for agricultural use has substantially reduced that amount of suitable habitat available to the flying fox.
Urban areas are often less affected by drought due to regular watering of gardens and trees which can also lead to higher nectar production in Eucalyptus trees in urban areas. Also urban camps are easier to locate at night for flying foxes (they navigate by sight) as they can use lights and buildings as landmarks to guide them.

Although flying foxes seem to be attracted to the urban lifestyle, city dwellers are often not so happy with these furry neighbours. A large colony of chattering flying foxes can be quite loud and they do have their own unique odour that people might find offensive. This has led to local residents near colonies campaigning to have the colony shifted.

Fruit Farmers and Flying Foxes

Although their preferred diet is Eucalyptus blossoms, flying foxes are happy to eat fruit, particularly where native vegetation has been cleared. Orchard managers use a variety of methods to discourage flying foxes from grazing on their fruit. Methods such as noise, bright lights and nets cause little damage to flying fox populations. Other methods such as shooting, poisoning and electrocution, on the other hand, cause a large number of flying fox deaths. There are several reasons why these methods are bad for flying fox populations. Firstly, they don't act as a deterrent; they kill them. Secondly, flying foxes are not always killed instantly, particularly when shot, and may suffer slow agonising deaths. Finally, baby flying foxes left back at the camp or clinging to their mother's body will starve to death after a female is killed. In December 2001 Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service(QPWS) decided to ban the use of electric grids to kill flying foxes in orchards. In a media statement QPWS said the decision not to allow electric grids was based on the evidence that it was an inhumane practice. Netting orchards is undoubtedly the most effective way of deterring flying foxes. Although initially expensive they can reduce fruit loss significantly as they protect fruit from birds, insects, hail and strong winds. The only damaged inflicted on flying foxes by netting is emotional as they realise that all that yummy fruit is out of bounds.

Barbed Wire fences and Flying Foxes

Barbed wire fencing of paddocks is common in the beef and dairy industries. It has become more popular lately probably due to it being cheaper than smooth wire fencing. Flying foxes returning from their night of feeding will sometimes fly low to the ground to avoid wind resistance and can become ensnared in these fences. Damage to wing membrane, bones and to the mouth (they bite the fence in their frantic efforts to break free) are common. In the past it was common to have barbed wire only on the bottom strands of the fence and smooth wire on the top. The new practice of having barbed wire on all three strands has had lethal impacts on the flying foxes around Australia.
For more information of this issue visit friends of the far north flying foxes Inc web site http://www.jeffress.net/ffnff/barbwire.htm

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