The Flying Fox Invasion...!

Sounds like the title of a really bad horror flick, doesn't it? Well, I guess in a way it is just that! Definitely not something I want to happen around my neighborhood.

Batemans Bay

New South Wales, Australia

Photo credit: Justin Welbergen

In May 2016, the town of Batemans Bay in New South Wales was invaded by 100,000 massive bats that covered nearly every tree and surface in the area. Residents were left prisoners in their own homes because opening doors or windows would cause bats to come flying in.

The culprits were grey-headed flying foxes. They are listed as a vulnerable species, so authorities couldn’t kill them. Soon, different groups bickered about what to do. Authorities wanted to use smoke or noise to try to get the bats to leave while animal rights groups said that the townspeople needed to be patient and wait out the epidemic.

Eventually, the town received $2.5 million to help fund efforts to stop the bats. But as of June 2016, the town remains under siege.

I can only imagine what a nightmare this must have been for the folks living in this town. BTW, I got this article from Listverse.

Coffee in the kitchen this morning.