If you have fruit trees in your backyard that bats and possums are likely to want to eat, the best way to protect your fruit trees without harming wildlife is to use 30-50% shadecloth pegged or tied tightly over the fruiting branches. Fruit will still ripen, but animals cannot reach under it, and it can be stored away easily until the following year. Use proper fruit bags, flowerpots cut up the side and placed over large fruit like a bell. But please never use black monofilament nets.

Incorrectly erected netting kills hundreds of flying-foxes and other wildlife every year in backyards. Hungry nocturnal wildlife cannot see the dark fine netting and become entangled in it quickly. Most suffer cruel injuries trying to free themselves, such as ripped wings, broken bones, swollen mouths and bleeding – this mostly happens to feeding mothers and their babies. Remember: flying-foxes are a protected species and must not be harmed. Never use netting – it kills!

If you find an injured or sick flying fox or any bat, please contact the Bat Rescue Hotline urgently on 0488 228 134 and for more info please visit www.bats.org.au