Posted 11/12/07

Say `NO!` to killing Singleton's endangered grey-headed flying foxes

BATS = BIODIVERSITY

Dear Friends

The Singleton Council in country New South Wales (Australia) has sought a NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change permit to kill an unknown number of endangered grey-headed flying foxes (see picture) roosting the township`s Burdekin Park. The park is one of seven around the town.

Grey-headed flying foxes are listed as Vulnerable under the federal government's EPBC - Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.  Nationally, their numbers have declined by around ninety-nine percent over the past 100 years due to shooting and habitat loss. The bats perform vital ecological work by pollinating and seed dispersing 100 species of native trees and plants. Each night a single colony will service tens of thousands of trees.  We need every single flying fox and they need us to help them survive.

The idea of imposing the death penalty on flying foxes because they may be inconvenient, or have dared to survive their systematic persecution by humans, is simply perverse. One argument used by the proponents of death is that the bats are roosting in (imported/non-native) "heritage trees".  To place an almost infinite value on a few individual trees in a park while ignoring the health of entire forests and dozens of species of trees is, at best, deeply irrational and parochial.

Singleton Council's on-line poll asks residents which of the town's parks require attention - the result shows a clear preference for Howe Park (73%) and only 19.48% for Burdekin Park where the bats reside. So why the fuss?Perhaps there are health concerns?  Two people (yes, two) in the past 100 years have died from the "deadly lyyssavirus". The virus, uncommon in flying foxes, can be transmitted only via a bite from a sick bat and a 100% effective post-exposure vaccine is available.

In the opening moments of the 21st century we will not allow listed species to be cruelly massacred by selfish and short-sighted individuals or groups.  Killing flying foxes is a crime in the present and a crime against this nation's environmental future.  It cannot be allowed to happen.  If necessary we will join with others from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne convoy to Singleton and occupy its Burdekin Park until the bats are safe.

Send this entire letter with your name attached to the emails below. (Delete the sentence involving occupying Burdekin Park if you are unable to make this commitment.) 

LETTER TO THE MINISTER AND THE MAYOR

Fred Harvison JP -  Mayor of Singleton NSW fharvison@singleton.nsw.gov.au

The Hon. Phil Koperberg, Minister for Climate Change and Environment office@koperberg.minister.nsw.gov.au

I say NO! to killing EPBC listed grey-headed flying foxes in Singleton's Burdekin Park and reject any plans whatsoever that involve harming these magnificent native animals. 

Bats = Biodiversity and after two million years building this nation's eastern forests they deserve more respect than the death penalty for inconveniencing Singleton's picnickers. 

Please teach your town to respect this continent's native species and not act as if euro-humans had the sole right of occupation. 

Education, accommodation and conservation - these are the way forward not the bloodshed of innocent animals.

I am prepared to camp in Burdekin Park if any plans are made to kill endangered species and remain there for as long as it takes for the bats to be made safe.

Signed:

Lawrence Pope
President
Victorian Advocates For Animals
PO Box 377 Nth Carlton, Victoria 3054
www.victorianadvocatesforanimals.org.au
mob. 0416 22 86 96