Australian town declares 'state of emergency' after being invaded by 100,000 bats
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Australian tourist hotspot has been declared a disaster area after being invaded by more than 100,000 bats.
The New South Wales town of Batemans Bay has been hit by a wave of dirt and destruction.
The noisy bats, commonly known as flying foxes, have caused power outages, kept tourists away and hit property prices in the south coast town.
"Well, I think it's a natural disaster. It's a disaster for residents, it's a disaster for the flora and fauna," said local MP Andrew Constance.
Russell Schneider, of the Flying Fox Task Force, said: 'This is the biggest, this is unprecedented. They've never been seen in these numbers.'
The bats, a protected species that cannot be culled, set up a colony in the town years ago but numbers have multiplied over time, media said.
The NSW Government pledged an additional A$1 million ($719,900) for state councils to manage problem bat colonies on Tuesday. They previously committed A$2.5 million for the "camp of unprecedented size" at Batemans Bay which has disrupted daily routines.
"Every morning, without fail, I have to wash the deck, wash the car," local resident Kent Lewis said.
Flying foxes, which disperse fruit and pollinate trees, perform a crucial role in the ecosystem.
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments