Sydney tries to evict troublesome fruit bats with aural onslaught

 

Sydney

Suggested Topics

It was not quite as bad as the heavy metal music played by the US Army to wear down detainees in Afghan prisons and elsewhere before interrogations. But for the giant fruit bats which roost in Sydney's Botanical Gardens, the cacophony of whistles and bangs was enough to drive them away – at least temporarily.

The onslaught of loud industrial sound is the latest attempt by wildlife staff to persuade the grey-headed flying foxes to take up residence elsewhere. The bats, which weigh about 8lb and have a wingspan of nearly 10ft, have killed almost 60 trees and palms, some dating back to the early 19th century.

The problem is that the creatures – whose coastal habitat has been destroyed by urban development – are a threatened species. So the eviction of 22,000 furry-faced bats in the gardens overlooking Sydney Harbour, means treading a fine line between protecting their interests and those of the trees.

In the past, methods such as shining strobe lights and discharging rancid odours have been attempted without success. But parks staff hope the noise assault will prove as effective as it did in 2003 when it was used to expel flying foxes from Melbourne's Royal Botanical Gardens. The expectation is that the abrasive, computer-generated sounds will persuade them to migrate to one of a dozen other colonies around Sydney.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
News in pictures
World news in pictures
From the blogs

Game of Thrones ‘Second Sons’ – Season 3, episode 8

Even though there was a complete absence of our favourite odd couple Brienne and Jaime, we got anoth...

Made in Chelsea – Series 5, Episode 7

If you had any doubt where Binky gets her brilliantly brassy disregard for social graces, episode se...

Nike kit deal puts England at No 2 in the world (but which country is top?)

As England’s new football strip – made by Nike – is revealed today, new research shows the English F...

The Photography Blog: ‘Control Order House’ by Edmund Clark – Photographing our response to terrorism

Recent events in Boston have served as a painful reminder of the threat posed by terrorism. In Contr...

       
iJobs Job Widget
iJobs General

Primary Teacher needed in Southwark

£115 - £150 per day + negotiable dependant on experience : Randstad Education ...

Goods Receiving Technician

Negotiable: Progressive Recruitment: Quality Inspector - West Midlands - 3 Mon...

Reception Teacher

£21000 - £36000 per annum: Capita Education Resourcing Permanent Team: Looking...

KS1 Teacher

£120 per day: Randstad Education Luton: KS1 Teacher required to cover PPA in a...

Day In a Page

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'

Masculinity in crisis?

'There is a battle going on inside us that is never discussed'
Have US shock jocks gone too far?

Have US shock jocks gone too far?

An incendiary remark from Rush Limbaugh may be the beginning of the end for outspoken right-wing US broadcasters
The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey pays more income tax than big cities of the North

The ‘Beverly Hills’ of Surrey

Elmbridge pays more income tax than big cities of the North
Heavenly Bodies

Heavenly Bodies

Michael Landy's artistic marriage made in heaven... and hell
'He will always be a friend': Jackie Stewart backs Polanski

'He will always be a friend'

Jackie Stewart backs Roman Polanski
The price of pacifism: Refusing to go to war is finally being recognised as a brave act

The price of pacifism

From the Second World War refusenik to the 19-year-old Israeli, Holly Williams talks to five people who risked shame and suffering to take a stand as conscientious objector.
'It was mass hysteria': Jason Isaacs on groupies, theatre bores and snogging James Bond

Jason Isaacs: Groupies, theatre bores and James Bond

To millions, Jason Isaacs is one of Harry Potter's arch enemies – but his wife prefers him as a Scottish TV detective.
Notes from a small island: Is Sealand an independent 'micronation' or an illegal fortress?

Sealand: 'Micronation' or illegal fortress?

Thomas Hodgkinson spent a week at the tiny platform off the Suffolk coast to find out.
Not a bad bone: Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

Mark Hix cooks with cutlets and ribs

If you ignore cutlets and ribs, you'll risk missing out on some delicious and easy meals, says our chef.
The experts' guide to summer: From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz

The experts' guide to summer

From getting fit for the beach to recreating that Olympic buzz
Sex, drugs and fast cars: The legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Legend of James Hunt has set Hollywood hearts racing

Early glimpses of Ron Howard's film Rush suggest it will portray Hunt as a high-living lothario, with an insatiable appetite for partying.
Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation when using drugs and alcohol. It was hurting my life'

Macklemore: 'I don't have moderation'

The next Vanilla Ice or the next Eminem? Macklemore doesn't have a record contract – but he does have the UK's biggest-selling single of the year.
Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Don't be shy: Bill Granger's Sri Lankan recipes

Sri Lankan cuisine is light, sunny, wonderfully spiced – and so easy to cook from scratch. Just as soon as you've broken into the coconut, that is.
Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Sir James Dyson’s latest project: Cleaning up hospitals

Doctors are hailing the revamp of a Bath neonatal unit, where babies sleep more and feed better, as the model for patient care
One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

One man returns to Argentina's town that drowned

Epecuen was submerged under 10 metres of water in 1985. Now the floods have gone – and 83-year-old Pablo Novak has moved back in