Queensland Government Reverses Ban on Shooting Flying Foxes

The Queensland government has reversed its decision to end the shooting of flying foxes, a practice that has drawn significant criticism from wildlife advocates and scientists. Initially, a three-year phase-out was announced in 2023, set to conclude on July 1, 2026, with the aim of transitioning farmers to non-lethal alternatives, such as exclusion netting. However, in December 2025, the government quietly revoked this ban, allowing farmers to continue shooting flying foxes under permits issued by the state’s environment department. The annual quota permits the shooting of up to 1,630 flying foxes, including 130 grey-headed flying foxes, which are classified as vulnerable under federal environment laws.

The Guardian

Wildlife advocates have condemned the continuation of this practice as “ineffective” and “inhumane.” Lawrence Pope, a spokesperson for the Friends of Bats & Bushcare, described the shooting as “barbaric,” highlighting the suffering of animals that often die slowly from gunshot wounds. He noted that females carrying pups are particularly at risk, as they may be shot while nursing. The Australasian Bat Society has also voiced strong objections, stating that the shooting does not effectively mitigate crop damage and results in a high likelihood of suffering for the animals involved.

The Guardian

Critics argue that farmers had ample time during the phase-out period to implement non-lethal methods. Jenny Mclean from the Tolga Bat Hospital emphasized that responsible growers had already adopted exclusion netting, which protects crops without harming bats. Rebecca Appleton, an educator with Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland, advocated for increased government investment in non-lethal solutions rather than allowing continued shooting. She stated, “Better for farmers and bats – everyone wins,” suggesting that effective crop protection can be achieved without resorting to lethal measures.

The Guardian

The Queensland Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation defended the decision to maintain shooting permits, stating that they are necessary to support farmers in protecting their commercial fruit crops when all other management options have been exhausted. The department indicated that individuals who have held permits since September 2012 could apply for permission to shoot, provided they had attempted at least two non-lethal methods prior to resorting to lethal measures.

The Guardian

While the government claims to have consulted local governments and industry regarding the decision, critics assert that conservationists and environmental groups were not adequately involved in the discussions. This lack of consultation has raised concerns about the decision-making process and its implications for wildlife conservation in Queensland.

The Guardian

• “If they can’t afford netting, they shouldn’t be growing fruit crops.” — Jenny Mclean, Tolga Bat Hospital

The Guardian

• “We would ask the government to invest more in helping the remaining farms to get that set up, [rather] than continue to allow shooting,” — Rebecca Appleton, Bat Conservation and Rescue Queensland

The Guardian