Why is the Queensland government continuing flying fox shooting permits?

The government has extended permits to support farmers in protecting commercial fruit crops where other management options are exhausted or unavailable.

What are the alternatives to shooting flying foxes?

Conservationists strongly advocate for non-lethal methods such as exclusion netting, which provides a physical barrier to protect crops.

How many flying foxes have been shot in Queensland?

Over 20,000 flying foxes have been shot under the program in Queensland over the past ten years.

Home / Environment / Queensland Shoots Bats: Conservationists Outraged

Queensland Shoots Bats: Conservationists Outraged

30 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Queensland's flying fox shooting permits will continue past 2026.
Over 20,000 flying foxes shot in Queensland over the past decade.
Conservationists advocate for non-lethal netting over shooting.

Queensland Shoots Bats: Conservationists Outraged

The Queensland government has reversed its decision to end the shooting of flying foxes by July 2026, a move heavily criticized by wildlife advocates and scientists. Permits allowing farmers to shoot up to 1,630 flying foxes annually for crop protection will remain available.

This backtrack comes despite a three-year phase-out announced in 2023, intended to transition farmers to non-lethal methods like exclusion netting. Conservationists argue shooting is barbaric, causes slow deaths, and risks vulnerable species. Over 20,000 flying foxes have been shot in the last decade under this program.

Organizations like Friends of Bats & Bushcare and the Australasian Bat Society emphasize that netting is an effective alternative. They call for government investment in exclusion netting to support farmers, asserting that this approach benefits both agriculture and bat populations.