Sunshine Coast Council is delivering pioneering research that will inform and improve Flying fox management in the region.
Council has become the first local government in Queensland to deploy satellite tracking technology to monitor Flying fox populations on the Sunshine Coast.
Council will monitor the animals over the next six to 12 months, using live mapping data provided by the trackers to answer questions such as how far do they travel, is there a relationship between roosts, where do they feed and do management activities work?
With this information Council can develop proactive and balanced management plans that deliver for both Flying foxes and residents.
Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said this research had been made entirely possible by the Environment Levy and was another example of Council seeking to better understand its environment.
“Flying foxes are essential to our environment; it’s just unfortunate that conflict occurs when they roost in urban areas.
“If we have a better understanding of their roosting behaviour, we may be able to encourage Flying foxes to roost in low-conflict areas.
“This could help us achieve the balance between protecting Flying foxes and the lifestyle of residents.
“To do this, we need to know why they go where they go and that’s where this research comes in.
“Nationally there are other projects that are tracking Flying foxes but we need localised information.
“This project will help us answer the unknowns and inform a balanced approach that delivers for everyone.”
