Review of the NPWS policy on the mitigation of commercial crop damage by flying-foxes

Abstract

Flying-foxes have been in conflict with fruit growers in Australia since European settlers began growing fruit trees (Tidemann et al. 1997). Although flying-foxes feed preferentially on the fruit, blossoms and nectar of native vegetation, they may seek out alternative food resources such as commercially grown fruit crops. This leads to loss or damage to commercial and domestic fruit crops each year. Although the degree of damage to crops and the locations of affected crops is inconsistent year to year, certain types of crop (e.g. lychee) receive damage each year and may be a new preferred food of flying-foxes. There are three species of flying-fox with ranges in NSW, the Black Flying-fox Pteropus alecto, the Little Red Flying-fox Pteropus scapulatus and the GHFF. While all three species will forage in fruit crops, the GHFF is most often implicated by farmers.