By JONATHON HOWARD
ATTEMPTS to disperse a flying fox colony for the second time at Cassia Wildlife Corridor will commence this month.
The first dispersal attempt, which occurred on 1 May this year, fell short of Coolum resident’s expectations and the flying fox colony remains at about 700 – down from about 6,000.
Sunshine Coast Council will again use plumes of smoke, noise and air blowers to disperse the remaining flying fox colony.
However, the second dispersal is falling dangerously close to the flying foxes’ beginning of the third trimester and could result in a number of pregnant females aborting their young.
Secretary of Flying Fox Rescue and Release Noosa Inc Terrie Ridgway, said the latest Sunshine Coast Council dispersal move was “ghastly”.
“Prior to the 23 July last year the dispersal was cancelled by Sunshine Coast Council due to the identifying of pregnant females and we know already that many of the female flying foxes are pregnant,” Ms Ridgway said.
“The (Sunshine Coast) Council claims their techniques are ‘non-lethal’ in removing the remaining grey-headed flying foxes, but that’s simply not the case.
“The amount of stress the animals go through after flying all night only to find they cannot land is enough for females to abort their young, so they can survive, or risk dying from exhaustion.”
Ms Ridgway said the state government now requires photographic evidence of pregnant flying foxes in order to cancel any dispersal attempts.
“To require photographic evidence is extremely difficult as many of the pregnant females cover their tummies and it’s too difficult to determine if they are pregnant,” she said.
“Let’s not forget the flying fox are moving on due to the flowering coming to an end – they’re a transient mammal that moves on year to year.
“To be putting our primary pollinator at risk is irresponsible to the most extraordinary degree especially during a time of scientific acknowledged climate change and global warming.”
Ms Ridgway said flying foxes begin to give birth in late September and at the earliest from October onwards.
Have your say: Has enough been done to disperse the Cassia Wildlife Corridor flying fox?
Email your thoughts to newsdesk@noosatoday.com.au
