Qld: Court to decide flying foxes fate

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2000
Qld: Court to decide flying foxes fate

Conservationists have applied to the federal court to stop a North Queensland lychee
farmer from electrocuting thousands of flying foxes.

The North Queensland Conservation Council applied for an injunction last Friday and
the federal court will hear the matter in Brisbane on Wednesday.

Council spokeswoman CAROL BOOTH says observers believe the farmer has killed at least
5,000 to 6,000 flying foxes in just two weeks.

Dr BOOTH says the cull will have an adverse impact on the population of the spectacled
flying fox which has declined significantly in recent years.

She says the farmer, ROHAN BOSWORTH, has obtained a permit from the Queensland Parks
and Wildlife Service to take 500 flying foxes in total over the whole season until the
end of January.

But Dr BOOTH says he's exceeded the number in one or two nights.

AAP RTV sc/klw/jn

KEYWORD: FOX (BRISBANE)

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