Keep Australia’s wildlife safe from cruelty
What is the issue?
  After a century of slaughter, a previous Labor Qld Government banned the killing of flying-foxes for crop protection: electrocution was banned in 2001 and shooting in 2008
    In 2012, the Newman Government changed the laws to again allow farmers to kill flying-foxes using methods shown to be cruel and ineffective. more...
    Now the Newman government has been removed we are hopeful that the new government will be taking a more humane and sustainable approach to the management of flying foxes in Qld.
Cruelty
Flying-foxes shot in orchards die slowly and painfully. Their babies starve to death when their mother is killed in an orchard.   more...
Environmental damage
As long-range pollinators and seed dispersers for native forests, flying-foxes play a vital ecological role. Two of Queensland’s flying-fox species are nationally threatened. . more...
Ineffective
     Killing flying-foxes does not work as a method of crop protection. This has been the view of farmers for the past 150 years. Full exclusion netting is the only consistently effective method for protecting fruit crops, and is recommended by governments and industry experts.  more...

Support from Jane Goodall PhD, DBE 
Founder – the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace

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One of the worlds most influential and respected conservationists, Dr Goodall has spoken out in support of Australia's flying-foxes.
    "It  deeply  saddens me  to  hear that  “Threatened Species  Day” 2012  was marked by the decision by the Queensland Government to sanction the killing of flying foxes– including two threatened species – Spectacled and Grey-headed flying foxes", she said.
  "We need to move to a much greater appreciation of these animals and the vital ecological  role  they  play" she said.  More...
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Support from Bob Irwin
Late in 2013,  Australian wildlife expert and long-term conservationist joined our call for a more hum thoughtful way of managing and living with flying-foxes.

His full statement can be read by clicking on this link.  We are proud to be associated with the Bob Irwin Wildlife & Conservation Foundation. gruel
Latest posts from our Facebook Site
The Committee considers that the shooting of flying-foxes to control predation in the fruit crop industry is inhumane

Qld Animal Welfare Advisory Committee [1]
Click image to enlarge.  Our thanks to Rohan at Green Humour
We do not agree with the shooting of native birds and bats. It may seem like an easy way out but it does little to improve profitability. Nets have saved our crops and therefore our profits 100 per cent.

Orchardist John Gough
Flying-foxes are crucial to keeping native forests healthy. They play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants.

Qld Government [2]
References
[1] AWAC (2008) Animal Welfare Advisory Committee’s Recommendations. Advice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries, The Honourable Tim Mulherin.
[2] Queensland Government (2011) Importance of flying foxes.
[3] NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (2002) DECC Policy for the mitigation of damage to commercial fruit crops by flying-foxes.
Banner image N.Edards, Other images from top: (1) J. Miles (2) Courtesy Native Animal Trust fund (3-6) S. Amesbury