It's now illegal to use large-gauge netting in Canberra to stop birds, possums and flying foxes guzzling your fruit, with a fines up to $800. Subscribe now for unlimited access . $ 0 / (min cost $ 0 ) Login or signup to continue reading Continue with Email Continue with Google Continue with Apple See subscription options This is a Good Thing, even if it means you now need to race out to pull the existing netting off your late-bearing apple trees, ripening oranges, or your vegie patch.
Birds, fruit bats, snakes and even pre-occupied wombats can all get tangled in large-gauge netting, and there are more of these than ever before seeking food and sanctuary in urban areas. The fruit bats no longer have the gum trees and other native species that usually supply their preferred blossom and fruits, because they have been cut down or bulldozed. Vast areas of bush are still recovering from the 2019-20 bushfires and drought that led up to them.
Wild birds are in the same position. Canberra now provides an essential food source, but like fruit bats, birds also get tangled up in bird netting, and die of injuries, thirst or starvation unless rescued and not too badly injured. Tiger snakes and brown snakes also easily get tangled.
This is not fun for the snakes, nor for anyone who finds them still alive but trapped in their backyard. Call WIRES for help for injured or trapped animals and to relocate snakes, and please give a large donation of money or time in return. But back to netting.
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