Balgowah resident forced to remove flying fox remains from backyard

A  Balgowlah resident said he is fed up with removing the remains of dead flying foxes that are falling into his backyard.

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A Balgowlah resident said he is fed up with removing the remains of dead flying foxes that are falling into his backyard.

Ron Hoban lives next door to the grey-headed flying-fox colony hiding out in bushland at Burnt Bridge Creek.

According to Mr Hoban, an owl is responsible for killing the flying-foxes and leaving their carcass in the backyard.

“There’s an owl that sits up in the tree, I hear him every night and when the bats fly back it’s attacking them,”

Mr Hoban says the latest attack, which happened last Friday, is the fourth to occur in a matter of months.

The flying-fox colony living next door to Mr Hoban. Picture: Annika Enderborg.

The flying foxes also create a foul stench, according to Mr Hoban.

“ ... and not only that, there’s droppings on my car and along the driveway.”

With his grandchildren often visiting, Mr Hoban said the carcasses posed a health issue.

“It is a health hazard,” he said. “I have to wear rubber gloves to dispose of it.”

NSW Department of Primary Industries advises that people should avoid directly handling a dead bat, and to use a shovel or wear gloves.

Residents should also dispose of the bats by incineration or deep burial.

A Manly Council spokesman said there is currently a draft management plan on exhibition for the flying foxes.

The plan has a number of key actions including removing­ coral trees – which flying-foxes like to roost in – and replanting­ suitable roost trees in more appropriate areas.

The council will also look to maintain and perhaps increase the buffer zone between houses and the flying-fox camp­.