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Flying foxes wreak havoc in North Queensland town, terrorising residents

December 14, 2017

The bats have forced park closures and sparked health concerns.

Residents in a small town in North Queensland in Australia are being driven batty by swarms of flying foxes. 

However, it's no laughing matter for the people living in Charters Towers. 

The bats have forced parks to close, children stopped from playing outside and are also sparking health concerns. 

Residents took to the streets over the weekend to demand the government do something about the thousands of flying foxes currently terrorising the town. 

Snow Hearne, who has lived in the town for seven years, said the flying fox population appeared to have tripled in recent months and dead fruit bats are now lining the streets, causing a significant health risk.

"It's got to an extent where nobody can go outside their houses because of the stench," she told Nine News.

"There is bat faeces all over the ground, not to mention the dead bats, which carry multiple diseases. It is horrifying."

The Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHA) has estimated 150,000 and 200,000 flying-foxes camped in trees around the town, with figures changing on a day to day basis. 

The EHA told Nine News Charters Towers was dealing with the huge numbers due to the flowering of melaleuca trees, which is a preferred food for the bats. 

It is also currently mating season for little reds, when roosts may spread out.

However, EHA said killing the animals is not viable.

"Besides the dangers of firearms in town, the animals are likely to be replaced by other flying-foxes arriving from elsewhere."

The EHP said they are prepared to sit down with council staff to discuss any control measures they may be considering.

"EHP has been working with Charters Towers Regional Council on a project to monitor flying fox movements in and around Charters Towers to increase our understanding of the animals and their behaviour. This information will help improve flying-fox roost management outcomes in the long term."


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