Your Say...

People speak out (page 2)

Below, we have reproduced just a sample from the hundreds of comments received through the   feedback forms and (mostly) from the online "Don't Shoot Bats" petition.  Clearly, many people in Queensland and beyond have a love and respect for our natural environment.   Every one is a genuine, verified submission. A large number of these comments came from regional and rural areas of Qld. 
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Queensland Speaks

• "Please don't lose the votes of the wildlife carers of Queensland by allowing bats to be killed. Please don't throw away the votes of environmentalists and animal lovers" T.K. QLD
• "A return to this barbaric and ineffective practice is unacceptable in a modern society." J.M. QLD
• "I am shocked to discover that the return to such barbaric practices is even being considered." P.M. QLD
• My vote will never go to a party which legislates for cruelty to animals. There are alternative methods of crop protection. Put the funds into one which is humane. D.E. QLD
  
• "Bats are an integral part of the natural ecosystem. Rather than destroying them with inhumane methods why can't farmers be helped with bat protection, netting etc? We're the smart country. Let's find an alternative to slaughter." H.N. QLD
• "One would hope we as a society had moved on from barbaric practices such as this. There are non lethal methods of crop protection" G.M. QLD
• "Flying-foxes are crucial to keeping native forests healthy. They play an important role in dispersing seeds and pollinating flowering plants Because flying-foxes are highly mobile, seeds can be moved locally and over great distances. When seeds are able to germinate away from their parent plant, they can have a greater chance of surviving and growing into a mature plant. Seed dispersal also expands the gene pool within forests. Flowers that need pollinating during the hours 1am-3am" B.B. QLD 
  
• "It is unacceptable to kill wildlife, especially threatened species. It is an archaic method of crop management which has led to the extinction of many species worldwide. These cruel practices should not be sanctioned!" A.L. QLD
• "No-one intelligent could seriously be considering re-introducing the cruel and unacceptable practice of destroying native Australian wildlife. Our critters are unique in the world, that includes our bats. Do something positive... work towards solutions that prevent destruction on all accounts. It's the only way we'll have a future in this beautiful country" P.T. QLD
  
• "I would like to see more assistance to crop growers supporting humane methods and higher penalties to those who dont" C.F QLD
• " WRONG!!! Is all I can say but for so many reasons." J.R. QLD
• "Please Lobby the Katter's Australian Party Qld Australia email ausparty.org.au" H.B. QLD
• "I've worked on a project with DERM about these inhuman practices and it's quite disappointing that funding is not going towards humane control.  These proven inefficiencies are not only a waste of time and finances but also cruel to the animals who are simply just surviving." K.P. QLD
  
• "Please don't allow cruelty to Flying Foxes :( If we were talking about treating dogs the same way the public would be outraged and it would never be allowed). Flying foxes deserve to be treated respectfully and with compassion they are our native tree angels and we are living in their habitat." A.C. QLD
• "This is appalling!!! They play a vital role in the Eco system and u want to destroy them????? Shame on you!!!!" T.B. QLD
  

Hundreds more like this...

The rest of the world agrees

• "I am appalled that any political party could even consider this as a viable solution. Grow up Australia, we are not in the dark ages."  E.S. NSW 
  
• "People and politicians of Queensland: It is a disgrace and disappointment that you want to kill bats. Surely you can do better. M.L. Illinois USA
• " Netting is the only cost-effective solution. Support farmers to net and recognise those who have already. The industry will be healthier all 'round and the bats will be protected to perform their essential ecosystem services" J.D. WA
  
• "If we do not stand up against the killing of native animals our children and grandchildren will live in a very bare Australia." R.H. NSW 
  
• "As a Zoo Biologist I acknowledge the difficulty of the impact of flying foxes. However the continued use of lethal control will only mask the underlying causes of the problem. This challenge should be taken as an opportunity to analyse the issue at depth and collaborate towards appropriate management strategies." M.L. Derbyshire, UK
• "We have caused enough havoc and destruction of wildlife here. Our bats are part of our heritage. they should be treasured, not shot! why must we drive everything to the brink of extinction and beyond? Enough is enough!!" A.S. NSW
• "Save bats!!!!!!" C.H.L. Santiago , Chile 
  
• "We ask that wildlife be protected and not used in the political arena to obtain votes. We wish for all wildlife including flying foxes to be treated with respect and compassion and steps to be taken to encourage living with our environment and not in concrete blocks. Save our bats...save our wildlife" A.G. VIC
  
• "Shooting or electorcuting flying foxes is just cruel and inhumane, pure and simple. If these animals become extinct then we will lose many more species" J.F. NSW
• "Australia has been a leader in biodiversity protection, don't let that become something from the past." S.E.V. Quebec, Canada
  
• "This can only be considered getting 'Back On Track' if the train is going backwards" S.A. NSW
• "The shooting of bats is short sighted and unnecessary economically given the alternatives - efficient pre-ripening picking; netting etc. Quite apart from the effect consistent inhumanity has on the human witnesses of it. Not to mention the agony of the individual animals and their young" J.W. NSW
• "Without these wonderful intelligent mega seed dispursers this planet is going to be in big trouble" B.B. VIC
  
• "Flying Foxes are necessary for the growth of forests. If they go, so do a lot of our forests. More education for farmers/orchadists. Maybe State/ Federal govt's should subsidise netting and education on how to use it safely. Flying Fox's prefer native fruit/blossom trees for food...plant more of those around orchards!!" P.C. NSW
• "Please help stop the cruelty that these beautiful bats will face should the shooting/killing be legalised. They are so very important to our environment and to the healthy future of our forests and woodlands. We must learn to live with them in harmony. All they want is to survive - feed themselves and their young, find shelter, and provide their important role in life - pollination & seed dispersal." M.C. S

Hundreds more like this...