Nature & Environment

Australian town is invaded by 100,000 bats

By T.K. Randall
May 24, 2016

Image: AI-generated (Midjourney) Bats can be unnerving at the best of times, but imagine trying to go about your business while there are scores of the notorious flying mammals covering every square inch of every surface.

This was the spectacle that confronted residents of Batemans Bay in Australia recently after more than 100,000 grey-headed flying foxes descended on the town en masse.

"I can't open the windows, I can't use the clotheslines," said local resident Danielle Smith. "It's just, I can't study because the noise just goes constantly. I can't concentrate. It's not fun.""The bats came and they are just out of control. We just can't do anything because of them."

Bizarrely, this particular type of bat is actually considered to be an endangered species meaning that authorities are only permitted to use non-lethal methods to deal with the problem.

One such tactic has involved using smoke and loud noises to deter the bats while another has seen areas of vegetation being chopped down to force the animals to move on from the area.

Ultimately though it may simply be a case of waiting for them to leave on their own accord.

Source: Sky News

Tags: Bats, Australia