Centre Shows Life Ain't Easy For A Flying Fox
Central Coast Herald
Monday June 2, 2003
FLYING foxes have been declared a vulnerable species yet are still being shot in orchards in their thousands, veterinary nurse Gwen Parry-Jones said.
Many of the animals had dependant young that survived the shooting only to die soon after from dehydration, starvation or heat stroke.
The Wambina Flying Fox Education and Research Centre at Matcham held an open day yesterday to try to draw attention to the animal's plight.
Ms Parry-Jones is also head carer at the centre and says few people realise that the number of flying foxes in the wild is falling.
The centre's main function is to work alongside the Wildlife Animal Rescue and Care Society to rehabilitate injured, ill and orphaned flying foxes and to release them into a nearby colony.
``We rescue the babies from orchards after their mothers have been shot and we rescue them off power lines," Ms Parry-Jones said.
``We've had more than 300 pass through our hands this year."
Yesterday's open day included informative talks by flying fox experts and parliamentarian and conservationist Richard Jones, who spoke about the most effective ways to appeal to Parliament to protect the flying fox.
Since the centre opened in 1992, more than 2000 grey-headed flying foxes had been successfully released back into the wild
Wambina has free entry for any educational purpose. For details, phone 43653232.
© 2003 Central Coast Herald