If eyes are the windows to the soul, what is to be learnt from these intelligent and trusting orbs of innocence? I have learnt that bats are universally misunderstood. That flying-foxes are gentle mammals that just need to be left alone to get on with the job of pollinating our forests as they have done for thousands of years. That bats suffer when they are injured and they cry and mourn their lost babies. Why then do Governments choose to cruelly disperse and shoot rather than protect and educate themselves to the truth about an essential keystone species? Habitat is being bulldozed at an unprecedented rate and unfortunately, flying-foxes like to live in places that humans deem desirable. Their nomadic existence is being disrupted as forests are felled and they have fewer safe and acceptable places to roost and forage. So they head for the protection of cities and towns where they know they wont be shot and there is parkland, street plantings and backyard trees to feed upon. This causes escalating conflict with humans and so the circle of hatred, ignorance and destruction continues. The Qld Government is issuing permits to shoot flying-foxes including 2 vulnerable species. The Environment Minister announced gazetted changes on National Threatened Species Day 2012 that would once more allow bats to be blasted with shotguns despite an independent body confirming the cruelty of such actions. With another year almost ended, a silent plea that 2015 will bring enlightenment, tolerance and respect for Australias only nocturnal, long distance pollinator and seed disperser of native forests.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 07:54:46 +0000
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