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Spectacled Flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus)

The spectacled flying-fox is a large fruit and blossom bat found in north-eastern Queensland, with its main Australian stronghold in the Wet Tropics between Ingham and Cooktown. It roosts in tree camps and feeds widely across rainforest, riparian, eucalypt, Melaleuca, mangrove and modified vegetation, so clearing, roost disturbance and night works can affect it well beyond the project footprint.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Endangered.

Breeding season

The pattern below applies to the Wet Tropics population described in the supplied sources. Camp occupancy and breeding use vary with flowering, fruiting, weather and local conditions, so repeat surveys are needed across the year.

Month values are ordered January to December: 0 means not typical, 1 means occurs, and 2 means peak. The sources do not provide exact mating, birth, weaning or litter-size dates for this species.

  • Breeding: Breeding animals are associated with high camp numbers from November to February. November and December are shown as peak months within the documented high-occupancy period.
  • Breeding: High camp numbers associated with breeding continue into January and February.
  • Young: The supplied documents do not state exact birth or weaning months. January and February are marked as the strongest likely period for dependent young because they fall within the documented November to February breeding peak.
  • Movement and camp use: Camp numbers are generally low from April to September and high from November to February. Camp movements follow seasonal fruiting and flowering, and individuals can move hundreds of kilometres to track resources.
  • Highest clearing risk: Risk is highest during the November to February breeding and high camp-occupancy period, with January and February marked as peak risk. April to September is not risk-free because camps may be transient or rarely occupied and individuals may roost singly or in small groups.

Identification

The spectacled flying-fox is a large, dark flying-fox with pale fur around the eyes. It is usually identified visually at camps, in flight or while feeding, rather than by tracks or calls.

Adults are generally black or very dark, with a straw-coloured or pale ruff around the neck and paler fur on the head and shoulders. The lighter eye rings give the species its common name, but they can be indistinct in some individuals.

  • Look for pale fur encircling the eyes, especially when viewing animals at rest in a camp.
  • Check the full head and neck pattern because individual eye rings may be weak or incomplete.

Identification: Size and sex

Males are slightly larger than females. The published measurements are head and body length of 220 to 240 mm, male forearm length of 160 to 180 mm, female forearm length of 155 to 175 mm, male weight of 580 to 850 g and female weight of 500 to 650 g.

Head and body: 220 to 240 mm

Male forearm: 160 to 180 mm

Female forearm: 155 to 175 mm

Male weight: 580 to 850 g

Female weight: 500 to 650 g

Identification: Similar species and field signs

The pale eye rings distinguish the spectacled flying-fox from the black flying-fox, although some spectacled flying-foxes have poorly defined eye rings and can be difficult to separate in the field. It only rarely shares roosts with the little red flying-fox or black flying-fox.

Daytime field signs include occupied canopy camps, droppings and discarded fruit beneath feeding trees, feeding activity and repeated flight paths to and from camps. No diagnostic tracks, nests, burrows or sloughs are expected because this species is an arboreal flying mammal. The supplied sources do not provide a diagnostic call or eyeshine description.

  • Treat a large flying-fox with uncertain eye markings as requiring expert confirmation before vegetation removal near a camp.
  • Inspect canopy trees and the ground beneath food trees for animals, feeding activity and fresh droppings during daytime surveys.
  • Do not rely on the absence of animals from a camp on one visit, because camp occupation is seasonal and some camps are transient or rarely occupied.

Distribution: Queensland range

In Australia, the species is restricted to north-eastern Queensland. It also occurs in New Guinea, nearby islands, parts of Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, but the information below focuses on Australian project assessment.

The Australian range extends north from Ingham through the Wet Tropics to Cooktown, and across Cape York between the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges. Individuals may occur as far west as Chillagoe. The species has been recorded on near-coast islands east of Cape York and is an occasional visitor to Torres Strait islands.

Australian state: Queensland only

Main bioregion and stronghold: Wet Tropics of Queensland, especially from Ingham to Cooktown

Cape York stronghold: McIlwraith and Iron Ranges area

Western records: As far west as Chillagoe

Elevation: Most of the Australian population occurs from the coast to above 1,000 m

  • The Wet Tropics between Townsville and Cooktown contains the largest known Australian population.
  • Known census areas include Cairns, the Cassowary Coast, Mossman to Cooktown, the Atherton Tableland and the Mulgrave River to Innisfail.
  • The Cape York population is less well known, and no camps had been located on Torres Strait islands in the recovery plan summary.

Distribution: Subpopulations and trend

The Australian population is centred in the Wet Tropics, with a smaller population in the Iron Range area. Genetic information summarised in the 2025 review indicates isolation between the Wet Tropics, Iron Range and New Guinea populations, suggesting limited gene flow between regions.

2004 Australian population estimate: Approximately 326,000, with a 95% confidence interval of 244,000 to 493,000

2017 Australian population estimate: Approximately 78,000, with a 95% confidence interval of 49,500 to 122,000

Estimated decline from 2004 to 2017: Approximately 75%

2018 heat mortality: Approximately 23,000 animals near Cairns

  • Population counts are strongly seasonal, with low numbers in roosts from April to September and high numbers from November to February when breeding animals occupy camps.
  • The Australian population declined from approximately 326,000 in 2004 to approximately 78,000 in 2017, a decline of about 75%.
  • Approximately 23,000 animals died during an extreme heat event near Cairns in 2018.

Habitat: Vegetation communities

The species uses a broad range of tropical and subtropical vegetation communities. Roosts and food resources may occur in protected areas, rural land, orchards, gardens and urban settings.

Foraging habitat includes closed forest, rainforest, gallery and riparian forest, eucalypt open forest and woodland, Melaleuca thickets, coastal swamps, mangroves, urban vegetation and commercial fruit crops. The main Australian population occurs in the Wet Tropics, but individuals forage into drier forests west of the Wet Tropics.

  • Retain mature canopy trees and flowering or fruiting food plants where possible.
  • Assess vegetation beyond the clearing footprint because individuals may travel widely between camps and feeding areas.
  • Give particular attention to riparian, coastal wetland, rainforest edge and mature canopy vegetation.

Habitat: Climate and structure

The species occurs from near-coastal tropical areas to above 1,000 m in the Wet Tropics. It needs tall canopy trees for daytime camps and a connected supply of flowers and fruit across the surrounding area. Camps are generally in exposed branches, while the species may roost away from camps singly or in small groups.

Recorded elevation range: From coastal areas to above 1,000 m in the main Australian range

Camp structure: Exposed branches of canopy trees

Roost social structure: Large camps, with some individuals roosting singly or in small groups

  • Map mature canopy trees, known camps, former camps and potential food stands before clearing.
  • Consider heat exposure at camps, particularly in lowland areas, because extreme heat has caused mass mortality.
  • Include nearby retained vegetation, waterways and adjacent land uses in the habitat assessment.

Foraging habitat: Diet and food resources

Spectacled flying-foxes are nocturnal canopy feeders. They follow changing flowering and fruiting resources and may forage many kilometres from the day camp.

The diet consists of rainforest fruits, riparian flowers, Melaleuca flowers and fruit, eucalypt flowers and fruit, mangrove flowers and fruit, and cultivated fruit in gardens and orchards. The species feeds on fruit, blossom, nectar and pollen.

  • Survey mature trees for flowers, fruit and signs of feeding, including discarded fruit and activity beneath the canopy.
  • Record food plants even when they are not flowering or fruiting at the time of survey, because resource availability changes seasonally.
  • Include orchards, gardens, urban plantings and commercial fruit crops in the assessment of potential feeding habitat.

Foraging habitat: How far it travels

Telemetry and resource use results indicate that foraging animals range widely across the Wet Tropics and extend into drier forests west of the Wet Tropics. Flying-foxes generally travel up to 40 km from camps at night to feed and can move hundreds of kilometres as flowering and fruiting resources change.

Typical maximum night foraging distance cited for flying-foxes: Up to 40 km from a camp

Longer movements: Up to hundreds of kilometres to follow flowering and fruiting resources

Feeding height: Primarily in canopy vegetation

  • Search for flight paths and night feeding sites beyond the project boundary when a camp or major food stand is nearby.
  • Repeat surveys through the year where a project could remove flowering or fruiting trees, because a site may be used when food resources become available.
  • Treat a site as potentially connected to a camp even when no animals are present during a daytime inspection.

Breeding habitat: Breeding pattern

Breeding animals concentrate in camps during the warmer and wetter part of the year. Maternity use increases the sensitivity of occupied camps and nearby flight paths to clearing and disturbance.

Camp counts show high numbers from November to February when breeding animals are present, and low numbers from April to September. The supplied documents do not provide a confirmed gestation period, litter size, age at maturity or lifespan for this species.

Peak camp occupancy associated with breeding animals: November to February

Low camp numbers commonly reported: April to September

Litter size: Not stated in the supplied documents

Gestation: Not stated in the supplied documents

Age at maturity: Not stated in the supplied documents

Lifespan: Not stated in the supplied documents

  • Check known and potential camps repeatedly through the year rather than relying on a single inspection.
  • Avoid disturbance to occupied camps and obtain species-specific advice before moving, dispersing or substantially modifying camp vegetation.
  • Inspect adjacent canopy and flight paths because breeding animals may travel between a camp and widely distributed food plants.

Breeding habitat: Maternity habitat

Breeding and maternity use occurs in daytime camps formed in exposed branches of canopy trees. Camps may be permanent, transient, satellite or rarely occupied, so absence during one visit does not demonstrate that a site has no breeding value.

  • Retain occupied camp trees and surrounding vegetation unless an approved management approach allows otherwise.
  • Use qualified personnel to assess camp status, seasonal occupancy and potential breeding use before clearing.
  • Plan works to avoid noise, lighting, vegetation removal and access close to occupied camps.

Sheltering habitat: Day camps

The main shelter is an elevated daytime camp in tree canopy. The species may also roost away from camps, so surveys should cover isolated trees and small groups as well as large colonies.

Spectacled flying-foxes roost in large aggregations in the exposed branches of canopy trees. Some camps are permanent, while others are transient, satellite or rarely occupied. Historical camps have held up to 80,000 individuals.

Camp size reported historically: Up to 80,000 individuals

Roost position: Exposed branches in the canopy

Camp types: Permanent, transient, satellite and rarely occupied

  • Search mature canopy trees during the day for hanging bats, camp noise, droppings, stripped or damaged branches and repeated flight activity.
  • Check known camps and former camps in the project area and wider surrounding area before fieldwork.
  • Use local knowledge from landholders, orchardists, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service officers, wildlife carers and Traditional Owners to identify camps and seasonal movements.

Sheltering habitat: Individual and small-group roosts

An unknown proportion of animals roost away from camps, either singly or in small groups. These roosts may be missed if inspection is limited to known colonies.

  • Inspect isolated mature trees, riparian trees, urban trees, orchard trees and retained canopy within and beside the work area.
  • Do not conclude that habitat is unused solely because no large camp is present.
  • Record roost trees with GPS and assess whether works could remove shade, access routes or nearby food resources.

Threats: Clearing and disturbance

The principal project risks are loss or disturbance of camp trees and food plants, interruption of movement between camps and feeding areas, and direct injury during clearing or infrastructure work. Extreme heat and disease add broader pressures to a declining population.

Habitat loss, clearing of roost vegetation, roost disturbance and pressure to disperse camps are recognised threats. Clearing important roosting or foraging habitat, moving camp boundaries or dispersing an established camp may have national environmental law implications.

  • Complete a pre-clearing camp and food plant assessment, including known and former camps in the wider area.
  • Avoid clearing occupied camp trees and avoid works that shift or disperse an established camp without regulatory advice and approvals.
  • Retain mature flowering and fruiting trees, riparian vegetation, mangroves and connected canopy where practicable.
  • Seek advice on referral requirements before major habitat modification or camp management.

Threats: Heat, weather and habitat condition

Extreme heat is now a demonstrated source of mass mortality. Approximately 23,000 spectacled flying-foxes died near Cairns during an extreme heat event in 2018. Cyclones have also reduced numbers and redistributed the population. Loss and degradation of vegetation can reduce shade, food availability and roost options.

  • Avoid removing canopy around occupied camps, particularly where it would increase exposure to direct sun and hot conditions.
  • Retain shade and water-associated vegetation near camps where safe and practicable.
  • Consider cyclone-damaged or recently vacated camps in the assessment because camp use can change after major weather events.

Threats: Direct mortality and infrastructure

Known threats include entanglement in fruit netting, backyard drape netting, barbed wire fencing and other obstacles, electrocution on powerlines, vehicle-related mortality, illegal shooting, pesticide residues and conflict with people. Construction lighting, traffic and temporary infrastructure should be assessed where they occur near camps or feeding routes.

  • Inspect proposed powerline alignments, fencing and netting for entanglement or electrocution hazards.
  • Use wildlife-safe netting and remove or modify unnecessary loose netting around fruiting plants.
  • Manage vehicle movements near known camps and feeding sites, especially at dusk and after dark.
  • Prevent access to pesticide residues and avoid practices that could contaminate fruiting or flowering resources.

Threats: Disease and parasites

Tick paralysis, genetic disorders and disease are recognised threats. The species can carry pathogens of public health interest, but workers must not handle flying-foxes unless trained, vaccinated where required and operating under relevant workplace and wildlife procedures.

  • Do not touch sick, injured or dead flying-foxes with bare hands.
  • Use trained wildlife handlers and follow current Queensland and Australian Government guidance for rescue, disease risk and reporting.
  • Include animal welfare and worker safety controls in clearing plans where camps or individual roosts may be affected.

Survey methodology: 1. Review records and plan the survey

Survey for the spectacled flying-fox should target daytime camps, night feeding activity and food plants. Camps are seasonal and the species can forage widely, so repeat surveys and checks of the wider project area are needed.

Review known and former camps within the project area and the wider surrounding area before fieldwork. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service records, published records, local residents, orchardists, wildlife carers and Traditional Owners may identify camps and seasonal movements.

Check the current protected matters information and state wildlife records because distribution and listing information can change, and known records may not represent the full area used by the species.

Australian distribution: North-eastern Queensland, broadly from Ingham to Cape York, including the Wet Tropics and the McIlwraith and Iron Ranges; individuals may occur west to Chillagoe.

Foraging range: Individuals may range widely from camps, including up to 40 km from a camp at night, and may move hundreds of kilometres to follow flowering and fruiting resources.

Survey methodology: 2. Daytime camp and habitat searches

Search for camps, satellite camps, transient camps and feeding activity during daylight. Camps are usually in exposed branches of canopy trees and may be permanent, transient, satellite or rarely occupied.

Use transects 100 m apart when searching for day roosts and feeding activity. Record the location, occupancy, approximate extent, canopy condition, understorey, nearby water and any signs of recent use.

Survey vegetation and identify food plants. A qualified botanist should identify potential food trees that are not flowering or fruiting at the time of the survey.

Camp size: Historical camps have reached about 80,000 individuals.

Roost context: Camps are often in vegetation close to water with a dense understorey.

  • Record GPS locations for camps, individual or small-group roosts, food trees and feeding signs.
  • Inspect the wider area, not only the clearing footprint, because the species may roost singly or in small groups away from camps.

Survey methodology: 3. Night feeding surveys and spotlighting

Conduct night searches for flying-foxes feeding at flowering or fruiting trees and other likely feeding sites. Use spotlighting and record observations at mapped food plants, camp fly-out areas and retained vegetation connected to those areas.

Use night surveys in suitable weather and repeat them across seasons because camp occupation and movements depend on seasonal fruiting and flowering. The species feeds on rainforest fruits, riparian flowers, Melaleuca, eucalypt and mangrove flowers, and cultivated fruit.

  • Record the date, start and finish times, weather, target vegetation, number of animals observed, behaviour, flight direction and evidence of feeding.
  • Treat an absence during one night as inconclusive where food resources or camp occupation are seasonal.

Survey methodology: 4. Minimum effort and reporting

Apply the following minimum effort in addition to the food plant survey, then repeat surveys at suitable times of year where camps or important food resources are present.

Report all records, including camps, feeding animals, injured animals and mortality, to the relevant Queensland wildlife database or other relevant state wildlife records system, and retain the project dataset with the approval and fauna management records.

Identification: A large flying-fox with pale fur around the eyes, sometimes with paler fur on the head and shoulders; head and body length is 220 to 240 mm.

Survey purpose: The guideline focuses on establishing presence or likelihood of presence, rather than estimating abundance.

  • For project areas under 10 ha, complete at least 2 hours of daytime survey and 3 hours of night survey.
  • For project areas from 10 to 50 ha, complete at least 6 hours of daytime survey and 5 hours of night survey.
  • For project areas over 50 ha, complete 6 hours of daytime survey per 50 ha and 5 hours of night survey per 50 ha per night.
  • Conduct several repeat surveys throughout the year where known camps occur in or near the project area.
  • Use experienced personnel for identification because the pale eye rings can be indistinct and the species can resemble the black flying-fox.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

Plan the project around known camps, feeding trees and movement routes before vegetation is disturbed. National and state obligations must be checked before clearing, camp management or activities that may injure or kill flying-foxes.

Retain known camps, occupied roost trees, food trees and connected native vegetation wherever practicable. Give particular attention to canopy trees, riparian vegetation, Melaleuca stands, mangroves, eucalypts, rainforest fruit trees and other flowering or fruiting resources.

Keep retained roost and feeding habitat connected to nearby vegetation and water. Do not assume that an unoccupied camp is unimportant because camp use is highly seasonal.

Avoid clearing during periods when camps are occupied, breeding animals are concentrated, or food resources are limiting, unless the timing has been assessed and approved in the fauna management plan.

  • Design the work footprint around occupied and recently used camps and important food plants.
  • Use staged clearing so that retained habitat remains available while each stage is completed.
  • Do not disperse, move or shift a camp without specific advice and approvals from the relevant authorities.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and project controls

Confirm the current Commonwealth listing and whether the proposed action is likely to have a significant impact on the nationally listed species. A significant impact may include clearing important roosting or feeding habitat, dispersing a camp, or shifting camp boundaries.

Check Queensland and any other relevant state or territory requirements before works. Flying-foxes are protected native animals under state arrangements, and moving or interfering with camps may require authorisation.

Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies survey results, retained habitat, work timing, exclusion areas, spotter catcher responsibilities, stop-work triggers, rescue arrangements and reporting requirements.

  • Seek Australian Government advice or make an EPBC Act referral where the activity may have a significant impact.
  • Obtain required state permits or approvals before handling, rescuing, relocating or otherwise interfering with an animal or camp.
  • Include emergency procedures for heat events, entanglement, electrocution, vehicle strike and other known threats.

Before habitat disturbance: Pre-clearance and site preparation

Complete a pre-clearance inspection immediately before works, with timing set by the fauna management plan and repeated if conditions or the work footprint change.

Mark retained camps, roost trees, food trees, riparian vegetation and no-go areas clearly for machinery operators and crews.

Use exclusion fencing or other physical controls where they can protect retained habitat without blocking flying-fox movement or creating entanglement risk.

  • Brief all workers on identification, safe distances from camps, wildlife contact rules, reporting lines and stop-work triggers.
  • Check structures, overhead lines, fencing and netting within the work area for entanglement or electrocution hazards before works start.
  • Do not use backyard-style drape netting or leave barbed wire and other entanglement hazards exposed near retained flying-fox habitat.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and spotter catcher duties

Work must be supervised where clearing or construction could affect roosting or feeding habitat. The fauna spotter catcher should have authority to pause machinery and must not attempt unauthorised handling of flying-foxes.

Inspect the work area each day before machinery starts, including retained canopy, camp margins, food trees, overhead lines, fencing and other potential hazards.

Maintain the marked exclusion zones and use a fauna spotter catcher who can communicate directly with the machine operator and stop work when an animal, occupied roost or unexpected habitat feature is found.

Keep machinery movement slow and controlled near retained trees and habitat. Clear in stages from the approved edge towards the work area so animals have an opportunity to move into retained habitat.

  • Use a pre-start briefing each day to confirm the work limits, exclusion areas, weather, personnel and rescue contacts.
  • Keep workers, vehicles and machinery away from active camps unless the activity has been specifically authorised.
  • Do not use machinery, noise or visual deterrents to disperse an established camp unless the action has been assessed and approved.

During habitat disturbance: Animal encounters and welfare

If a spectacled flying-fox is found, stop work in the immediate area, keep people and machinery back, and allow the animal to move if it is mobile and uninjured.

Only a person authorised under the relevant state requirements and project approvals should handle or relocate an animal. Flying-foxes can bite and may carry zoonotic pathogens, so workers must not touch them.

If relocation is authorised, place the animal in nearby retained habitat identified in the fauna management plan, away from active machinery and hazards. Do not move an animal long distances or release it into unsuitable habitat.

Send injured, grounded, entangled or heat-affected animals to an appropriately equipped veterinarian or wildlife carer through the approved rescue contact.

  • Never handle a flying-fox with bare hands.
  • Do not attempt to free an entangled animal unless trained, authorised and equipped to do so.
  • Record the animal's location, condition, action taken, destination, time and personnel involved.

During habitat disturbance: Stop work, habitat features and records

Stop work if an occupied camp, roosting animal, injured animal, unexpected concentration of animals, or direct risk of entanglement, electrocution or vehicle strike is identified.

The species usually roosts in exposed canopy branches rather than hollows, logs, rocks or burrows. Nevertheless, inspect and manage all habitat features encountered during clearing under the approved fauna management plan, because other protected fauna may use them.

Do not cut or fell a roost tree or important food tree until the spotter catcher and environmental officer have confirmed that the action is permitted and the tree is clear of animals.

  • Record daily clearance areas, retained habitat, weather, observations, animal encounters, incidents, rescues, injuries, deaths, stop-work events and corrective actions.
  • Report any mortality, unauthorised disturbance, camp interference or injury promptly to the project environmental officer and the relevant wildlife authority.
  • Check new powerlines, fencing, netting and structures for hazards before they are commissioned.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance checks

Post-clearance work should confirm that animals have not been left in the work area and that retained habitat remains functional. Continue controls until the site is stable and all approval conditions are met.

Inspect the cleared area, retained canopy, camp margins and nearby food trees after each clearing stage and again before the next stage begins.

Check for grounded, injured, entangled or dead flying-foxes, damaged roost trees, fallen branches and new hazards such as exposed wires, fencing or netting.

Use the same mapped locations and survey methods where possible so that changes in camp use, feeding activity and habitat condition can be identified.

  • Keep exclusion fencing, no-go markers and machinery controls in place until the environmental officer confirms that they are no longer required.
  • Arrange a qualified wildlife response for any animal found during the post-clearance inspection.
  • Do not treat an empty camp as permanently abandoned without considering seasonal use.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and compliance reporting

Monitor retained camps, roost trees, food plants and connected vegetation during relevant flowering, fruiting and breeding periods identified in the fauna management plan.

Report survey results, incidents, animal outcomes, habitat removed and habitat retained to the project environmental officer, approval agencies and relevant state wildlife database.

Review the controls if animals continue to enter the work area, if a camp changes location, or if heat, cyclone or other disturbance causes unexpected mortality or redistribution.

  • Compare monitoring results with pre-clearance records and document any change in camp occupancy or feeding activity.
  • Maintain all permits, approvals, spotter catcher records, rescue records, photographs, GPS data and incident reports for the required project period.
  • Apply approved offsets or other compensatory measures where residual impacts remain after avoidance and mitigation.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore food and roost habitat

Rehabilitation should restore the food, roost and movement resources used by the species, with priority given to connected native vegetation near water. Planting and maintenance must be based on local Wet Tropics or Cape York reference vegetation and the approved rehabilitation plan.

Replant locally appropriate native rainforest fruit trees, riparian flowering plants, Melaleuca, eucalypts and mangroves where those communities occur naturally at the site.

Restore dense understorey and canopy structure near water where this is consistent with the reference vegetation, because camps commonly occur in vegetation close to water with dense understorey.

Retain and protect naturally regenerating canopy trees and food plants, including trees that are not flowering or fruiting during the initial rehabilitation inspection.

  • Use local provenance plants where available and select species that provide food across different flowering and fruiting periods.
  • Do not plant non-roost species as a substitute for all retained roost habitat where an established camp or important roost has been removed.
  • Protect new plantings from browsing, machinery damage, fire and weed competition.

Rehabilitation actions: Manage hazards and habitat condition

Remove or modify barbed wire, unsafe netting, exposed power infrastructure and other features that could entangle or electrocute flying-foxes.

Control weeds that suppress native food plants or alter the structure of retained and rehabilitated vegetation, using methods that do not disturb camps or injure animals.

Manage fire in accordance with the site's ecological requirements and approvals, avoiding damage to rainforest, riparian, Melaleuca, mangrove and other food or roost vegetation.

  • Inspect rehabilitation areas for new entanglement hazards after construction and maintenance works.
  • Keep rehabilitation access routes and maintenance activities away from active camps and occupied roost trees.
  • Use pest and predator controls only where approved, necessary and designed to avoid harm to flying-foxes and other native fauna.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor success

Monitor plant survival, canopy development, understorey cover, weed cover, connectivity, food plant condition and use by flying-foxes against measurable rehabilitation targets.

Repeat daytime camp and habitat checks and night feeding surveys where the restored area is intended to provide roost or feeding habitat.

Adapt planting, weed control, fire management and hazard controls if monitoring shows poor plant establishment, loss of connectivity, new hazards or continuing disturbance.

  • Set completion targets for native plant survival, weed control, retained and restored habitat area, removal of entanglement hazards and protection of connected vegetation.
  • Record any return of flying-foxes, use of flowering or fruiting plants, camp establishment and animal incidents.
  • Provide monitoring results to the relevant approval agencies and state wildlife database where required by approval conditions.

Sources