A planned flying fox dispersal on Queensland's Sunshine Coast has been cancelled with the discovery of pregnant female bats giving the animals a last minute reprieve.
The Sunshine Coast council had planned to start dispersing a colony of grey-headed flying foxes at Coolum this morning after receiving state and federal government approvals late last week.
However, pregnant females were found in the roost at Cassia Wildlife Corridor on the weekend.
With the breeding season underway, it now means nothing can be done to disperse the bats until June next year.
Council staff door knocked residents yesterday to tell them the bats are staying.
It also means work to disperse a colony at Maroochydore will be unable to start.
The local environment group had opposed council's plans to move the animals on.
The local environment group had opposed council's plans to move the animals on.
COMMENTS