Natural resource management advisory series : note 8: Flying-fox camps

Abstract

This advisory note examines the ecology, conservation status, and management of three flying-fox species (Pteropus spp.) in northeastern New South Wales: the Grey-headed Flying-fox (P. poliocephalus), Black Flying-fox (P. alecto), and Little Red Flying-fox (P. scapulatus). The document outlines the critical ecological roles of these megabats in forest ecosystem maintenance through pollination and seed dispersal, their communal roosting behavior in camps, and their nomadic movements in response to food availability. It highlights the vulnerable status of both Grey-headed and Black Flying-foxes under state and federal legislation, primarily due to habitat loss and historical culling. The note details management strategies for mitigating human-wildlife conflict, particularly in agricultural settings, emphasizing non-lethal crop protection methods such as exclusion netting. Key conservation recommendations include protecting winter foraging habitats, rehabilitating camp sites, minimizing breeding season disturbance, and increasing public awareness of flying-foxes' ecological significance. This document serves as a comprehensive resource for landowners, conservation managers, and stakeholders involved in flying-fox management and conservation in New South Wales.