Relief as bats prepare to vacate

THE dispersal of a colony of flying foxes in Gatton is scheduled to begin soon.

THE dispersal of a colony of flying foxes in Gatton is scheduled to begin in coming weeks.

The Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) said in August the bats could be moved once the youngest were able to fly independently.

DERM director wildlife Dr Ashley Brunce said residents could expect to see crews removing tree branches soon.

"(DERM) approved an application from the Lockyer Valley Regional Council to modify vegetation around a flying fox colony at Gatton," he said.

"The permit was conditioned so that work could commence once all young flying foxes had the ability for independent flight, which for black and grey-headed flying foxes is about this time."

Dr Brunce said the tree branches on which the bats sleep would be removed when they weren't present.

"As the work consists of tree lopping of a type that occurs regularly in most urban areas, it is unlikely to disrupt residents," he said.

While no cases of hendra or other bat-spread diseases have occurred in Gatton, DERM is aiming to move the bats away from nearby residential areas.

"The intent is to modify some of the vegetation to encourage animals to move further away from nursing home facilities and nearby residences without directly or indirectly causing the flying foxes to disperse and cease using the roost," Dr Brunce said.

"However, flying foxes are highly nomadic and mobile animals, driven by their search for food sources. They have been known to depart a roost site of their own accord and return sometimes within a short time, sometimes years later, and sometimes not at all.

"DERM is working with council to develop a long-term management plan for the area's flying foxes and this will take into account possible roost sites and issues this may cause, if any."

Originally published as Relief as bats prepare to vacate