When bats roost in trees

Eric Frei · 8th June 2009, 12:24 AM

In UK bats are very protected.

If bats roost in a tree then you likely wont be able to cut the tree down.

But here in Oz, if bats piss you off, then cut the trees down to get rid of them.

RAAF tree change targets Tindal bat plague - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Quote:

The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has resorted to tree lopping to stop hundreds of thousands of flying foxes from roosting at a Top End air base.

The flying foxes are the second animal problem the Tindal base, near Katherine, has faced with the airstrip closed to aero-medical services for the past 18 months due to a wallaby plague.

The RAAF Wing Commander Rohan Gaskill says a health threat assessment has been carried out.

"The assessment found that the physical risks, although they are there, they are relatively low. The risks do exist and Defence is trying to minimise those risks," he said.

Wing Commander Gaskill says techniques involving noise and water have not worked well.

"The one that is working for getting the flying foxes away from the immediate proximity of houses is the lopping of the trees that they do like to roost in, particularly the african mahogany species, along with a couple of other species we do have growing in the area," he said.

Sean Freeman · 8th June 2009, 02:05 AM

It is always hard to know just how accurate any news story is..my own experience is that they are not accurate at all...however based on what can be gleaned from past reporting the base has had a few problems with animals of different kinds since being built in 1988.

It would appear that the bats have been congregating in very large numbers around the base, and roosting in trees near homes and recreational facilities. The RAAF were somewhat successful in driving them away using a chopper hovering over the roost trees but this did result in harm to some adults and the deaths of young unable to follow the adults....the decision makers on base faced strong criticism as a result.

I have had a little experience with bats trees and unhappy humans, no simple solutions...detailed communication with bat experts both here and overseas suggests that large numbers of bats in urban areas, and yes Tindal (Katherine) is urban for the Kimberley region, is an indicator of serious problems in the bats normal environment.... although it would seem to indicate that there are too many bats, in fact the opposite is true...their numbers in Qld have been falling for over 10yrs (recent rain events may ease the situation somewhat).

There is no doubt that large roosts of bats will have a major negative impact on tree health, and being bitten or scratched by a bat is highly undesirable!! I just hope ADF got good advice from qualified fauna consultants...I fear lopping the trees might have been chosen as a cheap easy solution, whilst it would reduce roosting space unless you remove the trees entirely (also undesirable) the bats will make use of what is left....long term perhaps having a specific area revegetated to attract bats might be a more sustainable option, but it would be no quick fix.

Melbourne Botanic Gardens has had some degree of success moving bats out of there, perhaps the ADF could contact their management team and consider their approach.

Garry Brockley · 8th June 2009, 10:22 AM

One of the major problems with air born creatures living in large numbers around airfields is the high risk of bird strikes, which puts every person and building in danger from crashing aircraft, especially at night time when the bats fly in large numbers and the pilots are unable to see them,

Because of these dangers military establishments are able to get around the laws that apply to everynoe else.

Sean Freeman · 8th June 2009, 10:39 AM

It is true bird strike is a real and ever present risk around airports, not sure the bats really pose such a problem in that regard more of a person on the ground perspective driving the unhappiness in this one.

Its not a problem restricted to the airbase over $30,000 was spent on researching developing and trialing bat control programs around Katherine in the last 4-5yrs.

Eric Frei · 8th June 2009, 06:39 PM

Just doing some research, seems odd to me they never fenced the runway in the first place, then they shoot 315 wallaby's and build a fence which was supposed to be completed in April.

Read the article, the problem has been there for years. Bit weird eh?

Why wouldn't they have hurried up and built a fence, relocated the wallaby's perhaps shooting with drug gun?

Tindal wallaby cull hailed a success - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Google view of the place:- http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=Tindal+base,+near+Katherine&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF8&ll=-14.514795,132.387314&spn=0.054259,0.077248&t=h&z=14

Done it · 14th June 2009, 09:18 PM

This has been put off for a year. I think they forgot who lives in Gordon, not tree guys that's for sure. I don't think they want an extra 22,000.

Sydney Botanical Gardens bat colony to be sounded-out and sent away - Environment - News | Central

ABC Local - Bats' garden eviction postponed

Eric Frei · 14th June 2009, 09:48 PM

Oh, cant just cut the trees down or lop them I see.

Eric Frei · 22nd April 2010, 09:32 PM

The school is Sate Govt owned.

Trees lopped to expel Maclean bats | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers | Clarence Valley Daily Examiner

Quote:

Marsha Neville | 22nd April 2010

WORK is under way at Maclean High School to remove more than 20 trees as part of the Maclean Flying Fox Working Group management strategy to create a buffer between the school, its pathways and the car park.

The tree removal and lopping is being coordinated by the Department of Education and Training (DET) and is expected to continue this week.

Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water’s (DECCW) acting regional manager Brett Nudd said this latest work was one of a range of measures developed by the Maclean Flying Fox Working Group to manage issues associated with the Maclean flying fox camp.

“Students and teachers returning from their Easter holidays can expect to find significant progress has been made to reduce the impact of flying foxes on their amenity and in the prevention of bats roosting in this area and their droppings landing on the cars using the car park,” Mr Nudd said yesterday.

He said this latest work on the strategic tree trimming on the school grounds had been one of a number of other short-term actions developed with DET and the Maclean High School P&C.

The working group is also finalising a revegetation program to provide alternative flying fox habitat further away from the school buildings.

“The revegetation works will compensate for the loss of habitat within the school grounds and consolidate habitat around the Maclean rainforest reserve,” Mr Nudd said.

DECCW is assisting the Land and Property Management Authority to finalise a restoration plan for the rainforest reserve.

“The aim of this program will be to enhance the viability of this important vegetation remnant so that it is more resilient and provides better quality habitat for flora and fauna,” Mr Nudd said.

Lack of available roost habitat and canopy damage in the reserve are acknowledged as major reasons behind grey-headed and black flying foxes using trees in the school grounds this year.

“The healthier the Maclean Rainforest Reserve becomes, the less likely it will be that flying foxes will spill over into undesirable locations such as the school ground or residents backyards,” Mr Nudd said.

we've spoken about these bats before ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohN Dee

attracts the bats for the berries, the bats that the berries attract shit like there's no tomorrow and when it sets hard it's like a bloody weld, the berries turn orange and go all slimey and REALLY STINK in summer. The visuals are all gone, people only see a grey pole in their yard and the orange berries at the bottom.

When bats roost in trees

And funny how some may think that trees have right of way and so do the things that inhabit them but ultimately man and his property has right of way.

Eric Frei · 22nd April 2010, 09:33 PM

The government gets in on the act here and removes trees to get rid of bats.

http://www.treeworld.info/f6/trees-r...led-13921.html

glennak · 23rd April 2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Freeman

It is always hard to know just how accurate any news story is..my own experience is that they are not accurate at all...however based on what can be gleaned from past reporting the base has had a few problems with animals of different kinds since being built in 1988.

It would appear that the bats have been congregating in very large numbers around the base, and roosting in trees near homes and recreational facilities. The RAAF were somewhat successful in driving them away using a chopper hovering over the roost trees but this did result in harm to some adults and the deaths of young unable to follow the adults....the decision makers on base faced strong criticism as a result.

I have had a little experience with bats trees and unhappy humans, no simple solutions...detailed communication with bat experts both here and overseas suggests that large numbers of bats in urban areas, and yes Tindal (Katherine) is urban for the Kimberley region, is an indicator of serious problems in the bats normal environment.... although it would seem to indicate that there are too many bats, in fact the opposite is true...their numbers in Qld have been falling for over 10yrs (recent rain events may ease the situation somewhat).

There is no doubt that large roosts of bats will have a major negative impact on tree health, and being bitten or scratched by a bat is highly undesirable!! I just hope ADF got good advice from qualified fauna consultants...I fear lopping the trees might have been chosen as a cheap easy solution, whilst it would reduce roosting space unless you remove the trees entirely (also undesirable) the bats will make use of what is left....long term perhaps having a specific area revegetated to attract bats might be a more sustainable option, but it would be no quick fix.

Melbourne Botanic Gardens has had some degree of success moving bats out of there, perhaps the ADF could contact their management team and consider their approach.

Melbourne Bot Gardens had great success they dump the bloody things elsewhere. Now they are killing hundred year old red gums along the yarra in Kew and elsewhere instead of trees in the gardens.
If you are running out in the north it's because the things are coming to Melbourne. It was a novelty when 6 flying foxes spent the summer in the jungle section of the bot gardens, then wow when a bigger group stayed all year. Then what do we do with hundreds of the things killing all our trees.
So if you want them back you know where they are.

Apocalypsse · 24th April 2010, 10:49 AM

I go to NMIT around that area and we have walked around that area of the river as part of a class. Those trees are just simply put 'f**ked' because of the bats. I have noticed they are going more north as well, had one sleeping on the LV outside my house across the road, 2 days later it was dead, I just assumed it put its claw through the insulation on the wire and zapped itself.

I gotta side with the airforce tho on the bat problem (wallaby problem was easy to fix even with just temp fencing...), the last thing we need are planes and helicopters going down because of bats.

Jeff Darby · 24th April 2010, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennak

Melbourne Bot Gardens had great success they dump the bloody things elsewhere. Now they are killing hundred year old red gums along the yarra in Kew and elsewhere instead of trees in the gardens.
If you are running out in the north it's because the things are coming to Melbourne. It was a novelty when 6 flying foxes spent the summer in the jungle section of the bot gardens, then wow when a bigger group stayed all year. Then what do we do with hundreds of the things killing all our trees.
So if you want them back you know where they are.

I have witnessed the same damage at Sydney botanical gardens aswell, They have a following too that like to make @@@@@@@@ regarding trees.

Eric Frei · 24th April 2010, 11:10 PM

Where I live we have a large bat coloney 0.5km away as the bats fly.

Beware at dusk, they shit as they fly and you do not want to be hit!

Many many people cut down their food source so they get a decent nights sleep, they're gregarious but they bitch all night, fighting and squabbling worse than a bedroom full of female siblings!

Eric Frei · 15th May 2010, 08:29 PM

Bats in the botanical gardens Sydney soon to get their marching orders approved by Garrett.

Wing it: Botanic bats get their marching orders - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Quote:

They're lovely when they're asleep, but when awake they chatter, screech and fight and damage your plants. No, it is not your teenage kids and their mates but the bats in the Palm Grove in Sydney's Botanic Gardens.

Like parents who tell their teenagers to leave, government authorities have found themselves between a rock and a hard place.

Do they let grey-headed flying foxes stay and damage Australia's oldest botanic gardens or do they disrupt a threatened species, hoping they'll move to a new home where they might cause just as much trouble?

Federal Environment Protection Minister Peter Garrett has approved a plan to force the flying foxes out.

The survival of the species is threatened by loss of habitat, but the botanic gardens is one home they cannot have any more.

The Botanic Gardens Trust says some visitors may be disappointed at the loss of the tourist attraction, but its executive director, Tim Entwisle, says it is fantastic news for the trees.

"After 20 years of damage by the flying foxes and losing 26 of our magnificent trees, we can finally start to relocate them," he said.

He says another 300 plants have had some form of damage caused by roosting bats.

From May until the end of July, the Botanic Gardens Trust can play loudspeakers in 10-minute bursts to get thousands of the flying foxes to go.

Under the rules the times when sound bursts can be played will be gradually increased until the bats move off.

The ministerial approval requires annual reporting and extensive monitoring and radio tracking of several hundred flying foxes.

If too many die it all has to stop. The annual three-month time limit on using the loudspeakers is "to avoid disrupting the [bat] camp during the sensitive breeding and roosting season", according to Mr Garrett.

Nick Edards from the group Bat Advocacy says the strict conditions in the approval are welcome but he has concerns.

"We're very concerned that the approval has been put on for a period of 20 years. We're talking about a threatened species in significant decline here," he said.

Not in my backyard

The big question now apart from whether the bats choose to go is where they will go.

The Kur-ring-gai bat colony near Gordon in northern Sydney has been identified as one suitable spot.

The approval conditions say the flying foxes have to be moved on if they go to an "unsuitable area" such as a park near houses.

Kur-ring-gai managers say the colony could take another 7,000 bats, but the botanic trust has estimated that up to 20,000 are in the gardens at peak times.

Mr Edards says the flying foxes could join any existing colony.

"One that could cause extreme concern is at Kareela in Sydney's south, which is already a site of quite a lot of conflict with local residents," he said.

Mr Entwisle says the trust has promised to move on bats that have migrated to unsuitable areas.

But Mr Edards has his doubts.

"It's entirely unclear how the trust would be able to disperse a small number of bats from that camp without impacting the ones that are already resident there."

The Melbourne Botanic Gardens spent about $250,000 on its program to evict flying foxes in 2003.

But Mr Edards says the Melbourne bats did not follow their eviction plan.

"The bats were chased across Melbourne for four to six months before they formed at a site which was not one of the sites where they were intended to be moved to."

Like parents of uncooperative teenagers we will all be hoping the flying foxes will keep safe until they make a decision and settle down - not too close, mind - in a new home.

After all, their survival depends on it.

arborjockey · 15th May 2010, 08:54 PM

Howly big bat @#$% those guys are huge. fruit eaters or are there alot of small animals missing in australia? In hawaii as a kid we would put roachs on fishing poles and cast them over the light poles to catch the bats. JEEEZ you'd need at least 15 lb test for those buggers.

sueann · 15th May 2010, 10:15 PM

They're fruit eaters AJ, they're called fruitbats.

My husband says on his way to work he sees them, they get into the trees at Singleton Park, by the hundreds he says, and are killing the trees by the looks.

I asked him what kind of trees they were but he just said dead one's - because of the bats.

Do they kill trees if there are too many of them? we get them here down the back sometimes, they are noisy but we hardly hear them up at the house, so not much of a problem. But if they start killing the trees I will not be happy.

arborjockey · 18th May 2010, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sueann

They're fruit eaters AJ, they're called fruitbats.

My husband says on his way to work he sees them, they get into the trees at Singleton Park, by the hundreds he says, and are killing the trees by the looks.

I asked him what kind of trees they were but he just said dead one's - because of the bats.

Do they kill trees if there are too many of them? we get them here down the back sometimes, they are noisy but we hardly hear them up at the house, so not much of a problem. But if they start killing the trees I will not be happy.

killn the trees by their looks

sueann · 19th May 2010, 10:20 PM

Haha! well they are a bit ugly, and poop everywhere and are noisy as well.

dov · 20th May 2010, 03:33 AM

I've got two Lilly Pillys to take out in a few weeks cos of Fruit Bats in them. They never really bothered me, but the numbers can get out of hand. Probably better to cull the bats as their numbers are probably much higher than before Europran settlement. Lots more for them to eat now.

glennak · 20th May 2010, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dov

I've got two Lilly Pillys to take out in a few weeks cos of Fruit Bats in them. They never really bothered me, but the numbers can get out of hand. Probably better to cull the bats as their numbers are probably much higher than before Europran settlement. Lots more for them to eat now.

Well a cull in Melbourne anyway as they were never that far south.
I would be embarrassed to show a photo of me up a tree without a harness, or is that how you normally climb?

dov · 20th May 2010, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glennak

Well a cull in Melbourne anyway as they were never that far south.
I would be embarrassed to show a photo of me up a tree without a harness, or is that how you normally climb?

We've got a huge amount of bats here. Not sure what sort.

Yes, I pretty much always used to climb that way cos my ex boss was an ex-commando retard who wouldn't let my use a harness. Now I use a harness when necessary. I must admit to a love of free solo climbing, but mainly do it recreationally now.

Eric Frei · 10th June 2010, 08:26 PM

And they're heading south.

Hey, I balded the bit about cocos palms being poisonous to them, I never knew that.

Flying foxes flee south from Queensland to find food | Courier Mail

Quote:

DRIVEN by starvation, hundreds of thousands of flying foxes are on the move across five states, with some even trying to make it to Tasmania.

Bat experts think it is the biggest migration on record.

It has been driven by Queensland's record autumn floods and continuing showery weather that has leached nectar from eucalypt blooms, the bats' favourite food.

Lorikeets, which also feed on nectar and pollen from native flowers, are also starving.

A grey-headed flying fox was found dead in netting on an apple tree in Hobart in Tasmania last month and the bodies of others have been found in the Tasman Sea.

About 2000 grey-headed bats also turned up in Adelaide. It was thought they had arrived via NSW and Victoria after leaving Queensland because of food and habitat shortages.

Bat Conservation and Rescue president Louise Saunders said yesterday her organisation had performed 790 rescues in the past six months, compared with just over 1000 in all of last year.

Many animals had been retrieved after being trapped in nets thrown over citrus trees.

"Citrus is not a preferred flying fox food so this shows how severe the downturn in nectar is," Ms Saunders said. "The lorikeets are all skin and bones too."

Other evidence of a food shortage was that weakened bats were staying in fruit trees all day, instead of returning to roosts. Some were feeding on poisonous cocos palms until they died.

Ms Saunders said such a large southern migration featuring hundreds of thousands of animals was unheard of.

"They are being forced to make these incredible journeys to places they have never been seen before," she said.

"They've turned up in Orange, Dubbo and Bathurst. Orange orchardists have had fruit decimated.

"We're run off our feet and we don't get any government funding for this. We need help and we need people who can rescue these animals."

Bats have also been on the move from Charters Towers, Maryborough, Redland Bay and Indooroopilly on the Brisbane River.

Last month more than 130,000 flying foxes arrived in Victoria.

In the 1930s, flying foxes were not found south of Rockhampton. Now they are breeding in Sydney.

Done it · 10th June 2010, 08:52 PM

That's news to me, that's about all they eat around here. It's the main reason people get rid of cocos palms.

There's a lot here, they fly over just on sunset. Not so many in Sydney Gardens now, they must have gone south as well.

Sydney's bats get the boot - Australian Geographic

Eric Frei · 10th June 2010, 09:02 PM

Well ... I'm wondering why the fruit is poisonous.

So I did a little hunting and found this too!

Gardening Australia - Fact Sheet: Cocos Palm

Quote:

And the irony of the situation is that in feeding on their nectar, fruit bats damage their thin membranous wings on the tough flower spikes.

Fruit bats are a threatened species but they're also flying gardeners, a priceless environmental service that sustains our natural environment, and the cocos palm further threatens a threatened species.

Oh, and from the bat blokes I have the PDF of the toxic issue.

Quote:

WHY WE NEED COCOS PALMS REMOVED
AND HOW THEY AFFECT
FLYING-FOXES
AND OUR ENVIRONMENT

By poisoning when seeds are eaten green in times
of hunger (September to January) Sticky fruits can cause severe constipation causing
dehydration and death in young animals. Toes caught in flower sheath causing self-
mutilation and death. Whole body or body parts caught in strappy leaves
that are easily shredded by claws creating a
„cocoon‟ effect around the animal causing stress
and death if not physically removed. Juvenile animals can get seeds caught behind their
“dog like” canine teeth causing slow death from
starvation. Premature wearing of teeth due to the hard seed –
flying-foxes have been known to live for 30 years
in captivity but wild animals who appear young are
now being rescued with worn, missing or even no
teeth. Flying-foxes do a great job of seed dispersal but in
the case of Cocos Palms this is not a good thing as
it contributes to their spread into bushland.
This South-American palm has been a popular garden and street tree for its fast growth and tropical look, it is now regarded as a non-desirable plant due to its rapid spread into bushland and its harmful effect of many species of wildlife. Tree lopping companies say it is keeping them in work as it becomes increasingly unpopular with gardeners and councils due to its high maintenance costs.

Hooray, another reason to kill a cocos palm.

dov · 11th June 2010, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ekka

Hooray, another reason to kill a cocos palm.

If only there was more reason to wipe out Canary Island Palms... Bloody weeds in the inner east of Melbourne.

Eric Frei · 4th January 2011, 07:07 AM

Town wins fight to remove bats | Northern Rivers News | Local News in Northern Rivers | Clarence Valley Daily Examiner

Quote:

20th December 2010
A SMALL community in north Queensland have achieved something Maclean locals have been trying to do for countless years.

Eton North residents have successfully removed a bat colony from their home after a seven-year struggle with their local council and this accomplishment is sure to turn Maclean locals either red-faced or green with envy.

Thousands of flying foxes called Eton North their home for decades, with locals not allowed to move them because they are a protected species.

But the battle has been won by the other inhabitants of the little rural township 25km west of Mackay.

A resident told ABC Rural the council had finally granted permission to remove the trees where the bat colony lived.

The trees were cut down overnight to minimise stress on the fruit bats.

General manager at Clarence Valley Council Stuart McPherson didn't want to speculate on how the Queensland community sought removal of their unwanted neighbours.

“It's a complex issue,” he said.

“Without knowing the facts surrounding the colony, not being a protected species influences the decision to have them removed.”

Mackay Council was unavailable for comment.

Eric Frei · 11th February 2011, 07:10 AM

Seems the bat problem mentioned in Post 8 continued.

'Historic day' as flying foxes get marching orders | The Australian

Quote:

February 11, 2011

The federal government yesterday suffered an embarrassing defeat on the floor of parliament over the fate of 250,000 flying foxes making life unbearable for 1100 students and teachers at a school on the NSW far north coast.

In what he described as a "historic day", the federal Nationals MP for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker, won a battle to have the relocation of flying foxes around Maclean High School enshrined in legislation.

Mr Hartsuyker said the bill, which has now gone to the Senate, would break a deadlock in which the previous environment minister, Peter Garrett, conspired to keep the flying foxes in place.

The bill passed through the house by 71 to 70 votes.

The government rallied support from Australian Greens MP Adam Bandt and independents Rob Oakeshott and Andrew Wilkie, but West Australian Nationals MP Tony Crooke and independents Bob Katter and Tony Windsor voted with the Coalition.

The Department of Environment had nearly four months ago granted a special licence allowing the flying foxes to be relocated, but Mr Hartsuyker claimed it provided for removing only some of them and was not a permanent solution.

"The government opposed this bill because it was only about one school in one electorate and we know there many areas in Queensland as well as other parts of NSW that are also affected," Environment Minister Tony Burke said yesterday.

Mr Hartsuyker championed the cause under the banner of "people before bats", while the Labor MP for the neighbouring seat of Page, Janelle Saffin, proposed that the school be moved.

Maclean High School P&C president Lorraine White has been campaigning for the relocation of the flying foxes for more than four years. "Have you ever been near a bat colony when it's raining?" she said. "The smell is just awful."

Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson said the community had significant fears for the children's health for a long time.

How the flying foxes will be relocated has not been revealed, but the expectation is the vegetation around the school will be cleared, and the creatures will naturally move elsewhere.

I think Peter Garrett should quit politics.

Eric Frei · 24th February 2011, 08:44 AM

Not so much luck for Singleton's Burdekin Park, red tape!

Singleton Council plan for bat damage - ABC Newcastle NSW - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Quote:

February 23, 2011
A Hunter Valley park which has been ravaged by flying foxes is set for improvement with the local Council approving a tree replacement master plan.

It is the second phase of the clean-up and repair process in Singleton's Burdekin Park, after work last year to remove damaged trees that posed a danger to the public.

The bat colony is still located in the heritage park after Council gave-up its fight to relocate them because of bureaucratic 'red tape'.

With planting possibly starting before winter, Singleton Mayor Sue Moore is optimistic it will eventually overcome the damage.

"Council has adopted the tree replacement program, so, that will see the trees replanted in the Burdekin Park for the future generations." Cr Moore said.

"It will take some years but it will see ideal species of trees planted back in the park."

"There will be improvements, for example Crepe Myrtles planted round the boundary of the park."

Done it · 24th February 2011, 06:25 PM

Well after nearly two years of legal crap, thanks to Bat Advocacy they can now try and get the bats out of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.

A MASSIVE COLONY OF flying foxes will be evicted from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens after an animal welfare group failed in its legal bid to allow them to stay.

Say goodbye to Sydney's colony of bats - Australian Geographic

Eric Frei · 24th February 2011, 07:02 PM

And pay their legal cost!

Quote:

February-17-2011

A huge colony of 22,000 flying foxes will be evicted from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens after a lost court appeal.

A MASSIVE COLONY OF flying foxes will be evicted from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens after an animal welfare group failed in its legal bid to allow them to stay.

Bat Advocacy had challenged a 2010 decision by then federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett to approve the relocation of up to 22,000 individuals of the threatened grey-headed flying fox species.

The Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust made the request on the grounds that the animals were destroying important species of trees and palms. It plans to disturb the bats using loud industrial noise, a successful ploy used on bats in Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Mr Garrett's approval came with strict conditions, including supervision by an independent observer group with expertise in animal biology and grey-headed flying foxes.

But Bat Advocacy argued in the Federal Court that the minister had failed to take into account the gardens were a critical roosting habitat, and that he did not consider conflict with humans elsewhere. It also argued the minister failed to consider information concerning previous unsuccessful attempts to relocate colonies elsewhere.

Eviction properly considered

In his judgment on Thursday, Federal Court Justice Dennis Cowdroy rejected the applicant's submissions and dismissed the application, saying the environment minister had properly considered the issues. He ordered Bat Advocacy to pay the minister's and the Royal Botanic Gardens' costs.

Royal Botanic Gardens executive director Tim Entwisle said he was pleased with the outcome. "This means we can continue monitoring and preparing for the relocation in May 2011," he said in a statement. "A seasonal peak of more than 22,000 flying foxes is just not sustainable in one of the world's great botanic gardens."

Grey-headed flying foxes are a threatened species, protected under both state and national environment law, and play a crucial role in pollination and seed dispersal in native forests. But the Royal Botanic Gardens says that, to date, the bats had destroyed 27 mature trees and more than 20 palms since taking up residence there 20 years ago. And another 300 trees were at risk, Tim says.

New home

Several sites have been identified as possible homes for the bats, including existing flying fox camps at Ku-ring-gai, Cabramatta and Parramatta. Botany Bay National Park and Lane Cove National Park were also named, although the Royal Botanic Gardens has said it could not be certain whether the bats would settle in any specific location.

The conditions imposed on the dispersal activity include that it must happen within a limited timeframe to avoid disrupting the camp during the sensitive breeding and roosting season.

The Royal Botanic Gardens will be responsible for the project, including ensuring the colony relocates to an appropriate site, and will be accountable for any safety risks.

8th June 2009, 02:05 AM	#2
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: When bats roost in trees It is always hard to know just how accurate any news story is..my own experience is that they are not accurate at all...however based on what can be gleaned from past reporting the base has had a few problems with animals of different kinds since being built in 1988. It would appear that the bats have been congregating in very large numbers around the base, and roosting in trees near homes and recreational facilities. The RAAF were somewhat successful in driving them away using a chopper hovering over the roost trees but this did result in harm to some adults and the deaths of young unable to follow the adults....the decision makers on base faced strong criticism as a result. I have had a little experience with bats trees and unhappy humans, no simple solutions...detailed communication with bat experts both here and overseas suggests that large numbers of bats in urban areas, and yes Tindal (Katherine) is urban for the Kimberley region, is an indicator of serious problems in the bats normal environment.... although it would seem to indicate that there are too many bats, in fact the opposite is true...their numbers in Qld have been falling for over 10yrs (recent rain events may ease the situation somewhat). There is no doubt that large roosts of bats will have a major negative impact on tree health, and being bitten or scratched by a bat is highly undesirable!! I just hope ADF got good advice from qualified fauna consultants...I fear lopping the trees might have been chosen as a cheap easy solution, whilst it would reduce roosting space unless you remove the trees entirely (also undesirable) the bats will make use of what is left....long term perhaps having a specific area revegetated to attract bats might be a more sustainable option, but it would be no quick fix. Melbourne Botanic Gardens has had some degree of success moving bats out of there, perhaps the ADF could contact their management team and consider their approach.

8th June 2009, 10:22 AM	#3
Garry Brockley Bayside Tree Care Brisbane Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Brisbane Aus Posts: 1,641	Re: When bats roost in trees One of the major problems with air born creatures living in large numbers around airfields is the high risk of bird strikes, which puts every person and building in danger from crashing aircraft, especially at night time when the bats fly in large numbers and the pilots are unable to see them, Because of these dangers military establishments are able to get around the laws that apply to everynoe else. Attached Thumbnails __________________ My business:- Brisbane Bayside Tree Care

8th June 2009, 10:39 AM	#4
Sean Freeman Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Townsville Nth Queensland & Gold Coast Sth Queensland Posts: 1,981	Re: When bats roost in trees It is true bird strike is a real and ever present risk around airports, not sure the bats really pose such a problem in that regard more of a person on the ground perspective driving the unhappiness in this one. Its not a problem restricted to the airbase over $30,000 was spent on researching developing and trialing bat control programs around Katherine in the last 4-5yrs.

8th June 2009, 06:39 PM	#5
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: When bats roost in trees Just doing some research, seems odd to me they never fenced the runway in the first place, then they shoot 315 wallaby's and build a fence which was supposed to be completed in April. Read the article, the problem has been there for years. Bit weird eh? Why wouldn't they have hurried up and built a fence, relocated the wallaby's perhaps shooting with drug gun? Tindal wallaby cull hailed a success - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Google view of the place:- http://maps.google.com.au/maps?hl=en&q=Tindal+base,+near+Katherine&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF8&ll=-14.514795,132.387314&spn=0.054259,0.077248&t=h&z=14 __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

14th June 2009, 09:18 PM	#6
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: When bats roost in trees This has been put off for a year. I think they forgot who lives in Gordon, not tree guys that's for sure. I don't think they want an extra 22,000. Sydney Botanical Gardens bat colony to be sounded-out and sent away - Environment - News \| Central ABC Local - Bats' garden eviction postponed

14th June 2009, 09:48 PM	#7
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: When bats roost in trees Oh, cant just cut the trees down or lop them I see. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

22nd April 2010, 09:33 PM	#9
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: When bats roost in trees The government gets in on the act here and removes trees to get rid of bats. http://www.treeworld.info/f6/trees-r...led-13921.html __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

24th April 2010, 10:49 AM	#11
Apocalypsse Veteran Heritage Status Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Victoria, Australia Posts: 1,152	Re: When bats roost in trees I go to NMIT around that area and we have walked around that area of the river as part of a class. Those trees are just simply put 'f**ked' because of the bats. I have noticed they are going more north as well, had one sleeping on the LV outside my house across the road, 2 days later it was dead, I just assumed it put its claw through the insulation on the wire and zapped itself. I gotta side with the airforce tho on the bat problem (wallaby problem was easy to fix even with just temp fencing...), the last thing we need are planes and helicopters going down because of bats.

24th April 2010, 11:10 PM	#13
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: When bats roost in trees Where I live we have a large bat coloney 0.5km away as the bats fly. Beware at dusk, they shit as they fly and you do not want to be hit! Many many people cut down their food source so they get a decent nights sleep, they're gregarious but they bitch all night, fighting and squabbling worse than a bedroom full of female siblings! __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

15th May 2010, 08:54 PM	#15
arborjockey Mature tree Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: hawaii. ohio. oregon. california Posts: 259	Re: When bats roost in trees Howly big bat @#$% those guys are huge. fruit eaters or are there alot of small animals missing in australia? In hawaii as a kid we would put roachs on fishing poles and cast them over the light poles to catch the bats. JEEEZ you'd need at least 15 lb test for those buggers.

15th May 2010, 10:15 PM	#16
sueann Former Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hunter Valley Australia Posts: 599	Re: When bats roost in trees They're fruit eaters AJ, they're called fruitbats. My husband says on his way to work he sees them, they get into the trees at Singleton Park, by the hundreds he says, and are killing the trees by the looks. I asked him what kind of trees they were but he just said dead one's - because of the bats. Do they kill trees if there are too many of them? we get them here down the back sometimes, they are noisy but we hardly hear them up at the house, so not much of a problem. But if they start killing the trees I will not be happy.

19th May 2010, 10:20 PM	#18
sueann Former Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hunter Valley Australia Posts: 599	Re: When bats roost in trees Haha! well they are a bit ugly, and poop everywhere and are noisy as well.

20th May 2010, 03:33 AM	#19
dov Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 649	Re: When bats roost in trees I've got two Lilly Pillys to take out in a few weeks cos of Fruit Bats in them. They never really bothered me, but the numbers can get out of hand. Probably better to cull the bats as their numbers are probably much higher than before Europran settlement. Lots more for them to eat now.

10th June 2010, 08:52 PM	#23
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: When bats roost in trees That's news to me, that's about all they eat around here. It's the main reason people get rid of cocos palms. There's a lot here, they fly over just on sunset. Not so many in Sydney Gardens now, they must have gone south as well. Sydney's bats get the boot - Australian Geographic

24th February 2011, 06:25 PM	#29
Done it Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Australia. Posts: 780	Re: When bats roost in trees Well after nearly two years of legal crap, thanks to Bat Advocacy they can now try and get the bats out of Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens. A MASSIVE COLONY OF flying foxes will be evicted from Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens after an animal welfare group failed in its legal bid to allow them to stay. Say goodbye to Sydney's colony of bats - Australian Geographic

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