A 'state of emergency' has been declared in a popular tourist destination after more than 100,000 'megabats' descended on the beachside town.
The animals, which are a species of bat native to Australia, are causing chaos in Batemans Bay on the NSW south coast, with their noise and smell that is off-putting to residents and visitors.
The situation has gotten so dire the grey-headed flying foxes have taken up residence in almost every tree in town, causing some locals to say they 'feel like prisoners in their homes'.
A 'state of emergency' has been declared in a popular tourist destination after more than 100,000 'megabats' descended on Batemans Bay, NSW
NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said the number one priority is relocating the animals, the ABC reports.
'We've had over 100,000 flying foxes settle in Batemans Bay, we think that represents about a quarter to a fifth of the entire national population, so it has been quite an extraordinary circumstance,' he said.
'We've had many residents complain, they feel they're prisoners in their own homes, they can't go out, they have to have air conditioning on the whole time, windows closed.
'[The circumstances] really amount almost to a state of emergency.'
NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said the number one priority is relocating the animals, the ABC reports.
'We've had over 100,000 flying foxes settle in Batemans Bay, we think that represents about a quarter to a fifth of the entire national population, so it has been quite an extraordinary circumstance,' he said.
'We've had many residents complain, they feel they're prisoners in their own homes, they can't go out, they have to have air conditioning on the whole time, windows closed.
'[The circumstances] really amount almost to a state of emergency.'
The animals, which are a species of bats native to Australia, are causing chaos with their noise and smell that is off-putting to residents and visitors
The grey-headed flying foxes are seen in almost every tree in the coastal town, according to locals
NSW Environment Minister Mark Speakman said the number one priority is relocating the animals
A local residents said she struggles to leave the house during the megabat infestation.
'The bats came and they are just out of control. We just can't do anything because of them,' Danielle Smith told Sky News.
'I can't open the windows, I can't use the clotheslines, it's just, I can't study because the noise just goes constantly. I can't concentrate. It's not fun.'
'We've had many residents complain, they feel they're prisoners in their own homes, they can't go out, they have to have air conditioning on the whole time, windows closed,' Mr Speakman said
Thousands of the flying foxes have been seen above the town at the same time, frightening residents
Grey-headed flying foxes are a protected species, meaning the government cannot cull them to get rid of the problem
The flying foxes are considered a protected species, meaning authorities or locals cannot cull them.
According to the local council, the more than 100,000 bats that have flown into town this year is the highest number ever recorded in Batemans Bay.
A plan to get rid of the winged invaders has also been drafted by the Eurobodalla Council, which includes hosing trees down with 'bat deterrent', and using giant inflatable tube men in an attempt to scare them away.
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