Flying-foxes
Spectacled Flying-foxes
Cairns is home to 44 known Spectacled Flying-fox roost sites, however less than half of these are occupied at any one time.
Spectacled Flying-foxes play a crucial role in the Australian eco-system by being one of the most efficient pollinators and seed dispersers of native Australian forest trees. They travel great distances each night in search of food. Spectacled flying-fox roosts are mainly seasonal with numbers and composition of the camps changing constantly.
Like all native wildlife, flying-foxes are a protected species in Queensland under the Nature Conservation Act. The Spectacled Flying-fox is listed as “endangered” under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and Queensland threatened species legislation.
No touch, no risk
Bats and flying-foxes may carry bacteria and viruses which can be harmful to humans but the risk of infection is low. The best way to avoid any risk of infection is - never touch a flying-fox.
If you do not touch flying-foxes or other bats, there is no risk.
Australian Bat Lyssavirus is rare and when infected, the bat soon dies.
You will not be exposed to Lyssavirus
- when flying-foxes fly overhead,
- when they roost or feed in trees,
- if you come into contact with droppings or spats or flying-fox camps.
Lyssavirus can only be transmitted through deep tissue bites or scratches from infected bats.
If you find a sick, injured or dead flying-fox or bat, do not touch it, call FNQ Wildlife Rescue on 4053 4467.
Council adopted a multi-faceted strategy to managing flying-foxes in urban areas and aims to balance protection of spectacled flying-foxes and the amenity of residents through:
- management approach – using scientific advice and data on spectacled flying-fox population numbers and movements to determine what actions (if any) will occur;
- action - responding to immediate concerns and acting to minimise conflict;
- community education and awareness to debunk myths about flying-foxes and provide residents with scientific facts about spectacled flying-fox populations, behaviours and diseases; and
- collaboration with State and Federal Governments on all matters relating to management of spectacled flying-foxes, including compliance, conservation and recovery planning.
Bats and Trees Society of Cairns (BatSoc) Inc is a not-for-profit incorporated association dedicated to the care, protection and conservation of bats in the Cairns region. If you are interested in helping BatSoc deliver school education, community events, train as a volunteer carer, support the committee or simply want further information.
Council acknowledges that spectacled flying-foxes are an important part of the natural environment and is concerned that leaving them at roost in the CBD will result in further negative impacts upon them.
Cairns Regional Council has approval from the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) to implement deterrent measures to disperse and permanently relocate a nationally important population of Spectacled Flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) at the Cairns City Library,151 Abbott Street. The objective is to relocate the Cairns City Flying-fox colony to a suitable alternative site.
The proposed action has been referred under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) and determined to be a “controlled action” under the EPBC Act to be assessed on Preliminary Documentation. The controlling provision under the EPBC Act is - ‘Listed threatened species and ecological communities’ (Sections 18 and 18A), specifically the endangered Spectacled Flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus).
- DAWE Variation to conditions 29 July 2020
( PDF, 0.12 MB ) - DAWE Variation to conditions 10 August 2020
( PDF, 0.09 MB )
An Implementation Plan ( PDF, 8.28 MB ), prepared by independent consultants and approved by the Federal regulator, involves several steps ahead of, during and subsequent to the relocation activity.
The relocation activity is undertaken by appropriately qualified and experienced individuals and non-lethal methods are used.
An Operation Plan ( PDF, 2.55 MB ), cognisant of the conditions set by the Federal regulator and commitments made in the Implementation Plan, details the steps required to relocate the colony.
- Cairns Regional Council published the Final Preliminary Documentation for information purposes only in accordance with Part 16.03 [5 - 7] of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 [EPBC Regulations]. Copies of the Final Preliminary Documentation Report (including all attachments) were available to be viewed for information only for 20 business days between the 23 March 2020 until C.O.B Friday 17 April 2020.
- Cairns Regional Council, in accordance with Section 95A(3) of the EPBC Act, published the Preliminary Documentation for public comment. Copies of the Preliminary Documentation Report (including all attachments) were made available for public comment from 6 January 2020 until C.O.B Friday 31 January 2020.
- Council has been in discussions with the Federal regulator since April 2019.
Community events
Sound Machine
Council employs a Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) machine to assist with approved deterrent activities in Cairns City when required. The sound machine can be engaged from the very early morning before fly-in times or may also be use to lift flying foxes already resting in a tree, depending on circumstances and approval types.
The noise machine is a highly directional audio device which means the sound directly in line with the device is significantly louder than in the back and on the sides. The majority of the acoustic output power is concentrated in approximately a 30 degree cone in front of the device. Wherever possible, the device will be pointed directly at the intended target (i.e. up or towards the tree). Operators will maintain an exclusion zone when the device is in use.
Nearby businesses and residents can expect to hear sounds such as distant sirens, whips cracking, flying fox calls, construction noise, demolition noises etc. The greatest success has been found in using a range of different noises at various intervals.
The exact track can be heard here.
Last Updated: 20 September 2023
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