The Central Highlands Regional Council’s animal management team is continuing to monitor the flying fox situation at Mackenzie Park in Duaringa as baby bat season gets underway.
Under the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection’s Flying Fox Roost Management Guideline Queensland, major dispersal activities should be avoided during breeding and rearing seasons.
According to recent figures, there are approximately 1300 little red flying foxes in the park and about 70 black flying foxes.
‘While this may seem like a lot, it’s actually significantly less than the 300 000-strong roost we’ve had there in previous years,’ Ranger Services Coordinator Andrea Hewitt said.
Reproduction in all Australian flying foxes is seasonal and usually synchronous, however the breeding cycle of the nomadic little red flying fox differs by about six months.
‘We understand that living nearby to these native animals can be challenging, but we ask for residents to be patient and cooperative,’ Ms Hewitt said.
‘When the rearing season is over we will investigate our dispersal options and continue to update the community.’
Council has also developed a Flying Fox Statement of Management Intent, which is available here.