www.awnw.com.au
Issue #2302 – Wednesday, 14 May, 2014
Albury Wodonga’s largest circulating newspaper
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Driven batty By KRYSTEN MANUEL THE sounds of starting pistols, whipper snippers, chainsaws, blowers, mowers, banging metallic objects and computer generated recordings took over the Albury Botanic Gardens on Monday, ridding the gardens of all but seven bats. In a bid to rid the gardens of the whole fruit bat colony, AlburyCity consulted the appropriate authorities, gained approval from The Office of Environment and Heritage, and devised a plan. With an expectation of taking weeks, many are surprised at the bats’ quick response. The plan was developed in conjunction with staff from Melbourne’s Botanic Gardens, which successfully relocated a colony of bats from its gardens in 2003. Relocation involves filling the gardens with loud noise
at dusk and dawn to disrupt the bats’ typical roosting pattern. A period of four weeks was identified where staff would be making noise daily to drive the bats from the gardens. “Relocating the bats is a priority,” AlburyCity’s director of community and recreation James Jenkins said. “We’re aware of the impact they have had on the gardens, which is one of the city’s great assets. However, as a protected species, their relocation has to be carefully managed under the direction of the Office of Environment and Heritage. “Initially the colony was only a small one which began breeding in the grounds. Under advice from the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and flying fox experts, council had to wait until the pups had matured enough
The Botanic Gardens’ fruit bats are currently being relocated.
Mr Jenkins said. “Our priority however is making the gardens fruit bat free as soon as possible.” Council advised nearby residents they would hear loud noise and machinery at dawn, dusk and periodically throughout the day. Council also advised residents that although the gardens would remain open during the relocation process, they should be mindful of the bats which are likely to be disturbed during daylight hours. In September 2013 a colony of flying foxes (grey headed flying foxes and little red flying foxes) established itself in the Albury Botanic Gardens. Bat colonies have been roosting along the Murray for 35 years. This is the first time any colony has established itself in the Botanic Gardens and is believed to be an isolated incident. As the camp grew they ex-
before relocation could begin. “Now that the pups have matured council has been working with flying fox experts from the Australian Research Centre for Urban Ecology; Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, representatives of the NSW Office of the Environment and Heritage and
WIRES to develop a proposal that meets the process outlined in the NSW Government Flying Fox Camp Management Policy. “We’re expecting some inconvenience to surrounding residents and regular park users which we will try and minimise wherever possible,”
tended their roosting range into the Children’s Garden which forced the closure of this area and into the Kauri Tree which is the tallest and most significant tree in the Botanic Gardens. The grey headed flying fox is listed as a threatened species under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and also listed as threatened under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999. The little red flying fox is protected under the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. The status of the Flying Foxes requires a licence from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage to relocate. Council has also launched a new webpage with the most-up-to-date information on the relocation, which is available at alburycity.nsw. gov.au/batrelocation
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