WildNet taxon ID 986 Alternate name(s) spectacled fruit-bat Nature Conservation Act 1992 (NCA) status Endangered Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC) status Endangered In the meantime, the national conservation status of the spectacled flying-fox moved too slowly from "vulnerable" to "endangered" in the listing process. But habitat destruction and harassment largely caused the species' population to drop from 250,000 in 2004 to 75,000 in 2017. Cairns Regional Council argues their decision to attempt to move the bats to the Cairns Central Swamp is in the long-term interest of their survival. This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, and provide content from third parties. We, the signatories of this petition, request Cairns Regional Council to cancel all plans to ‘disperse’ (forcibly evict) critically endangered Spectacled Flying Foxes from the nationally significant Cairns City Library camp as it will place great stress on this species leading to higher mortality rates. This directly contradicts the specific EPBC Act referral guideline, which states actions to manage the flying-fox camps should not significantly impact the species. According to Scientist David Westcott, the Spectacled Flying fox is now likely to meet the criteria for Critically Endangered. Optional (only if you want to be contacted back). Guardian Australia published concerns from environment groups. Credit: Justin A. Welbergen, Noel D Preece and Penny van Oosterzee. The federal government has upgraded the threatened status of a flying fox after almost a third of its population was wiped out in Queensland’s recent heatwave. Flying-foxes are extremely mobile in the region, so the camp provides a roosting habitat for more than what's present at any one time. 'The invisible minister': Melissa Price accused of going missing on the environment. Our laws failed these endangered flying-foxes at every turn. A spectacled flying-fox pup orphaned by the heat wave in Queensland which wiped out one third of population. But these animal welfare concerns arose from the accumulated impacts of the council's poor management actions, or actions the council supported. Zool. A council spokesperson says: "Heat stress events, urban development and increased construction in close proximity to the Cairns City Library roost will continue to stress and adversely affect the spectacled flying fox population. Spectacled flying foxes (SFF) were originally listed as vulnerable in 2002 and up-listed to endangered in 2019 with population data supplied by CSIRO. But any cyclone damage was overshadowed by the flying foxes they found dead upon the damp earth. The Spectacled Flying-Fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) was first scientifically described in 1850 by John Gould and, when listed earlier this year, joined another 37 mammals added to the Australian national endangered list.The spectacled flying-fox has required a lot of detailed modelling. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. Meaning it is only one step away from being Extinct in the Wild. We do not guarantee individual replies due to extremely high volume of correspondence. In 2017 the government's own Threatened Species Scientific Committee advised listing the species as endangered, which would provide them with more protection. Credit: Justin A. Welbergen, Noel D Preece and Penny van Oosterzee. by Justin A. Welbergen, Noel D Preece, Penny Van Oosterzee The camp may now be non-viable for the flying-foxes. Population number. On Monday the minister also confirmed the bramble cay melomys, a small rodent that hasn’t been since since 2009, would be formally declared extinct under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act. 1849:109-112. Yet, the federal environment minister approved the dispersal last month under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act) – Australia's key environment legislation for protecting threatened species, and currently under a ten-year review. In the meantime, the national conservation status of the spectacled flying-fox moved too slowly from “vulnerable” to “endangered” in the listing process. Collectively these destroyed more than two-thirds of the available roosting habitat at the site. You can be assured our editors closely monitor every feedback sent and will take appropriate actions. The Conversation sought a response to this article from Cairns Regional Council. Spectacled flying-foxes are critical for pollination and dispersing … Credit: Justin Welbergen. What’s more, the state government’s recovery plan for the spectacled flying-fox – in place since 2010 – has never been implemented. Spectacled flying fox (Mammal) — transferred from vulnerable to endangered category Carpentarian rock rat (Mammal) — retained in endangered category Mossman fairy orchid (Plant) — retained as critically endangered category Haines's orange mangrove (Plant) — included in critically endangered category That's because under the EPBC Act, no building near or around the flying-foxes is permitted. With global reach of over 5 million monthly readers and featuring dedicated websites for hard sciences, technology, smedical research and health news, A spokesperson said: "Relocation measures will only occur between May and September—outside of the spectacled flying fox pup rearing season to avoid a disruption to the species' breeding cycle.". In 2017 the government’s own Threatened Species Scientific Committee advised listing the species as endangered, … It’s an incredibly significant site for the Endangered species and is recognised as one of just twenty ‘Nationally Important Camps’ that should be conserved. Humane Society International nominated the species for an endangered listing and the decision is one of five the group said had been delayed with the minister. Spectacled Flying Foxes are a very special part of Far North Queensland and are a key pollinator for our beautiful rainforests. Dispersals risk stressing the already disturbed animals, and causing injuries and even abortions and other fatalities. The spectacled flying-fox camp in Cairns has a tumultuous history, being subject to creeping destruction and the impacts of construction projects for years. Provided by Up to 20,000 animals died late last year; decision is one of several made by Melissa Price after criticism over inaction, Last modified on Fri 22 Feb 2019 00.21 EST. It is also found in New Guinea and on the offshore islands including Woodlark Island, Alcester Island, Kiriwina, and Halmahera. “Critically endangered forests vital to the survival of orange-bellied parrots and endangered habitat for koalas will now continue to be destroyed while landholder opportunities for recovery funding go begging,” he said. The EPBC Act failed to protect the species at every turn. But after recent catastrophic declines in spectacled flying-fox numbers, moving them from their home further threatens the species survival. I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. What's more, the state government's recovery plan for the spectacled flying-fox—in place since 2010—has never been implemented. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox, © Phys.org 2003 - 2021 powered by Science X Network. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletters are free features that allow you to receive your favourite sci-tech news updates. The relocation activity will be undertaken by appropriately qualified and experienced individuals and non-lethal methods will be used. The Conversation. IT WAS NOVEMBER Of 1990 when Bruce and Ann Johnson decided to check whether a recent cyclone had caused any damage to a local colony of spectacled flying foxes (Pteropus conspicillatus) near their home in Millaa Millaa, North Queensland in Australia. Proc. On Saturday, Cairns Regional Council will disperse up to 8,000 endangered spectacled flying-foxes from their nationally important camp in central Cairns. Lond. To find out more, read our Privacy Policy. There are no solutions under the EPBC Act as it's currently framed. Now, another unique species, a fruit bat known as the Mauritian flying fox, is being pushed toward extinction. In this case, the act's well-intentioned protection measures caused far more harm than good. Bat carers in Cairns are readying themselves for an influx of casualties from the dispersal. Since 2015, the government has … They are a significant long distance pollinator of the World Heritage listed Wet Tropics in northeast Queensland. Now imagine what it … But when the spectacled flying-fox was finally declared endangered in February 2019, they already qualified as critically endangered, according to official guidelines. Spectacled flying foxes are the main species we care for at the Bat Hospital. Removals (X) of roost trees from the Cairns flying-fox camp between 2013 and 2020. Thousands of spectacled flying foxes are being blasted by a sonic cannon in a bid to evict the endangered mammal from trees in the Cairns central business district (CBD). Council believes relocation will mitigate human/flying fox conflict, enable the trees at the library to recover, and will likely reduce the high rates of pup mortality that have been recorded at the library colony. Some bat carers have sadly reached the conclusion the dispersal is now the least-bad option for the bats after their stronghold suffered a death by a thousand cuts, leaving their home unviable. Spectacled flying fox Conservation (more information at Conservation of Australian Flying Foxes) Bat conservation is a key aspect of our work at Tolga Bat Hospital. Price also announced on Monday that the five vacancies on the government’s threatened species scientific committee have been filled. 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