WARNING: DISTURBING IMAGES
Noosa Golf Club will keep the netting on its driving range in place, despite dozens of flying foxes being trapped over the last few days.
President Dale Officer told Noosa Today the nets would remain in the short-term, subject to discussions with fencing experts in the coming weeks.
“We’re exploring options with fencing contractors,” he said.
Noosa Golf Club met with Queensland’s Parks and Wildlife officials this morning to discuss the issue.
Noosa Golf Club has been paying almost $2,000 a day for a cherry picker to assist wildlife carers retrieve the bats. They are also providing water for the carers and additional assistance.
Meanwhile, a Sunshine Coast wildlife carer has called for the removal of netting at the Club, after scores of flying foxes died after becoming entangled in the nets.
According to wildlife carer and bat rescuer Katrina Odgers, about 15 were lost yesterday, and another 25 were trapped this morning.
“We have about 25 bats up there. It’s going to keep happening.”
“The same thing is going to happen tomorrow.”
“The nets are so high. These bats are flying into them and they are exhausted.”
“This is about the fourth time it’s happened over the last month.”
Ms Odgers said they were transferring the bats to Australia Zoo.
“We’re transferring them to the zoo because they are so critical.”
Wildlife Noosa rescuers were called to the club on Tuesday morning after staff discovered dozens of flying foxes caught high in the nets. Club representative Tamara Giles said the club immediately notified wildlife authorities upon making the discovery.
An RSPCA spokesperson confirmed they received a rescue call-out on Tuesday morning and requested Australia Zoo to attend.
Little red flying foxes seasonally migrate through Noosa from late spring, coinciding with the flowering of bloodwoods and other eucalypts, and are protected under both state and federal legislation.
