In Queensland, Australia, the government-sanctioned killing of flying-foxes has been re-introduced for the benefit of fruit growers. Shooting of flying-foxes was officially declared inhumane after an assessment by the government's Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in 2008 and banned.
Shooting of flying-foxes was banned because there is an inevitable high rate of wounding (dark flying animals shot in the night), and because young flying-foxes (most born as orchard fruit is ripening) die of thirst or starvation when their mother is shot in an orchard.
Four flying-fox species will be affected; two are threatened "vunerable" species- the Grey-headed and Spectacled flying-foxes. Fruit growers will be permitted to shoot flying-foxes despite the acknowledged cruelty and despite two of the species being threatened.
Fruit growers can protect their crops much more cost- effectively with nets. There is no excuse or justification for shooting flying-foxes when there are alternative methods of crop protection. Restore the ban of shooting flying foxes.
SOURCE: http://www.wildlife.org.au/news/2012/dontshootthebats2.html
Hon Andrew Powell MP
Member for Glass House
Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection
Level 13
400 George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
GPO Box 2454, Brisbane QLD 4001
tel: 323 90844
fax: 3224 2496
Environment@ministerial.qld.gov.au
In Queensland, Australia, the government-sanctioned killing of flying-foxes has been re-introduced for the benefit of fruit growers. Shooting of flying-foxes was officially declared inhumane after an assessment by the government's Animal Welfare Advisory Committee in 2008 and banned.
Shooting of flying-foxes was banned because there is an inevitable high rate of wounding (dark flying animals shot in the night), and because young flying-foxes (most born as orchard fruit is ripening) die of thirst or starvation when their mother is shot in an orchard.
Four flying-fox species will be affected; two are threatened "vunerable" species- the Grey-headed and Spectacled flying-foxes. Fruit growers will be permitted to shoot flying-foxes despite the acknowledged cruelty and despite two of the species being threatened.
Fruit growers can protect their crops much more cost- effectively with nets. There is no excuse or justification for shooting flying-foxes when there are alternative methods of crop protection. Restore the ban of shooting flying foxes.
