The Flying Fox are a native Australian animal which despite being adorable, intelligent, and integral to the broader environment they encompass, do not receive the respect they deserve.
NB: Correction – Flying Fox are placental mammals, not marsupials.
The Flying Fox or Fruit Bat is not actually a bat or a fox but a winged mammal. There are 3 species of Flying Fox in South-East Queensland, the Black Flying Fox, the Little Red Flying Fox, and the Grey Headed Flying Fox. All of these animals are protected by Queensland and New South Wales Legislation with the Grey Headed also being listed as Vulnerable to Extinction under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
The Flying Foxes in the early 1900’s were recorded to have camps well over one million strong situated mainly in rainforest edges and dense mangrove forests. As human activity and development has heavily depleted these habitats more and more Flying Foxes have migrated their camps closer to urban areas which can cause conflict between both parties.
In the 1920’s farmers in New South Wales and Queensland had observed Flying Foxes feeding on their fruit orchids and began executing various techniques to ‘control’ the animals which even for the times seemed excessive. The methods tried included shooting, poison gasses, strychnine poisoning of fruits and even flame guns! In 1928 the Federal Government launched a biological study to learn about this ‘pest’ and their economic impact. Luckily this 2-year study fronted by Zoologist Francis Noble Ratcliffe, found the cost of controlling the Flying Foxes would not be economically viable as their impact to agriculture is relatively small as these animals feed mainly on flowing native trees and rainforest fruits.
These beautiful animals are now protected but are far from safe. From logging to clearing for agriculture and now urban development flying foxes, instead of consistently rotating through large numbers of desirable camps, are forced to live alongside another loud, erratic sometimes smelly creature, Us!
Here in Gympie many of the Flying Foxes old remnant camps have been long cleared and they are now forced to take residence in suburban areas. Urban activities can put stress on the animals and Flying Fox activity can put stress on residents but remember these animals are an integral part of the Australian Bush. Studies have revealed these animals can travel up to 400km in a night! While embarking on these journeys for food they mainly feed on flowering Eucalypts which produce most of their nectar at night which is likely an ancient symbiotic connection with the nocturnal Flying Foxes as they are integral for linking the genetics of the Eucalypt stands through pollination. They also feed on large fruiting rainforest trees spreading seed and effectively pollinating and propagating bushland. Instead of seeing these animals as a nuisance I see them as fellow bush regenerators.
Gympie and District Landcare in association with Gympie Regional Council are attempting to rectify an old Flying Fox camp at Widgee Crossing by removing the dreaded Cats Claw, this will be in association with the removal of other weeds especially Chinese Elm, Celtis sinensis to assist the natural regeneration of the site. Although it may take some time to rectify this site and regain the structure required to host a large flying fox camp there are many other plants and animals that will benefit from this work.
Like all bush regeneration, a large overarching goal such as rectifying a flying fox camp will have countless mutual benefits to all of the other creatures which encompass the ecosystem, as well as the human interests in the catchment. Carefully and systematically removing weeds in the correct sequence can encourage ecological succession and provide advantageous conditions to the native species which belong. In the past when we have clear felled forests and denuded entire creek lines, aggressive, fast growing, and opportunistic plants (weeds) recolonised. Most of these plants were brought from other Continents and do not have natural predators and gain advantage over native plants, heavily stunting biological diversity. This change in balance can cause issues such as erosion, changing entire ecosystems and producing larger problems in the broader catchment.
It is our job as bush regenerators to tip the balance back in favour of native plant species which in turn will provide food and shelter for animals which will then contribute to the pollination, propagation, and overall health of the system. The resurgence of plant and animal life into once degraded ecosystems is what makes bush regeneration the most rewarding undertaking a wildlife lover can accomplish. It is truly rewarding to watch an area of bushland bounce back from human degradation and mistreatment and return to their natural state of biodiversity and equilibrium over time. If you are interested in embarking on a career that embodies this philosophy and allows you to make an objective difference to the natural world, please give Gympie & District Landcare a call and ask to about a job in regeneration with our Environment and Conservation team.
If you require any information about living with flying foxes, go to Department of Environment and Resource Management for practical ideas on reducing the impact. Taking action to try to get flying foxes to move on is illegal in Queensland unless under a permit issued by the Department of Environment and Resource Management. Disturbing flying-foxes at a camp can lead to their dispersal into neighbouring properties and elsewhere and can cause significant stress on individual animals.
Please give the Flying Foxes, our winged regenerators the peace and respect they deserve to allow them to continue as they have done for thousands of years in diversifying sclerophyll bushland and dispersing rainforest seedbanks.
Marty McArthur
Environment & Conservation Project Officer
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