Flying foxes have returned to their original roosting grounds near the desalination plant at Kurnell following the dispersal of the colony at Kareela.
Camelia Gardens is also reported to be a be a new flying fox roosting ground with the Office of Environment and Heritage giving consent for council staff to commence dispersion operations in the area because of its close proximity to homes.
Last year, Sutherland Shire Council spent $850,000 to disperse the Kareela colony, which had an estimated 18,000 flying foxes and was affecting the grounds of the nearby Sylvanvale Mikarie Child Care Centre, Bates Drive Public School and Aspect South East Sydney School.
With the start of the flying fox mating season, shire residents are being advised to be on the looking for flying foxes roosting during daylight hours in their area.
Sightings during the day can often indicate the animal is injured or that the animals are roosting in inappropriate locations.
Daytime sightings of flying foxes can be reported to Sutherland Shire Council via the ‘Report It’ function on Council’s website.
Sutherland Shire Council has continued to monitor public flying fox sightings following the dispersal program at the Kareela colony in 2015, in order to identify any new roosting areas in the Sutherland Shire.
Flying Foxes will not naturally roost in backyards or individual trees as they require spaces of at least one hectare and multiple trees for the entire colony to roost.
Flying fox droppings may contain harmful viral strains that are dangerous or able to be transmitted to humans. NSW Government Health states that there is no risk to the community from the flying foxes providing that no handling or direct contact occurs with the animals or their droppings.
A small percentage of flying foxes may carry the Australian Bat Lyssavirus, which can only be transferred to humans via bites or scratches as a result of directly handling an animal; however a vaccine is available to prevent the virus from spreading when administered within hours of contact.
Members of the community are advised not to feed or handle wild animals, and in cases of injured, trapped or dead animals are encouraged to call WIRES on 1300 094 737 for advice or animal relocation.