There will be some rockin’ and rollin’ in the Emerald flying-fox rainforest roost next week as council moves to disperse the resident colony.
Mayor Kerry Hayes said the Emerald Botanic Gardens was not a suitable place for flying-foxes to call home.
‘The final decision on what to do with these flying-foxes was made this week,’ he said.
‘Initially, we believed the Queensland Government was not going to authorise a dispersal, but it transpired that permission was forthcoming.
‘We generally agree that dispersal activities are the last resort because they are quite nasty for the animals and the neighbours. However, in this case, the colony is really close to a residential area and it’s also stopping people from being able to enjoy the botanic gardens.’
Council’s Senior Ranger Jaime-Lee Bullivant said the dispersal will disturb the flying-foxes and also local residents.
‘We start before dawn at around 4.00 am with loud music and bright lights,’ she said.
‘This is repeated for up to three hours and then there’ll be an evening session for two hours from approximately 5.00 pm. And it could take four days to be effective.
‘What we hope to do is make the roost an unpleasant place for the colony so they will find another home. What we can’t control is where they end up. The risk is they will land in a private garden where council will not be able to conduct further dispersal activities.
‘The best outcome is that they head out of town and find a more suitable roost,’ she said.
‘All nearby residents will receive a notice about the dispersal and enquiries can be made by telephoning 1300 242 686 during office hours.