Sunshine Coast Council have given us 100 Batty Bucks for situations just like this one. First up we need to improve the situation for Sam and the other residents as soon as possible. But we also need to consider the well-being of the flying-foxes. 

We need to find an answer that is sustainable and works – for both humans and flying-foxes. 

You have four options. Once you’ve made your decision go to the numbered episode which corresponds with your choice.

Option one – dispersal (Episode 5)

Flying-foxes come home really early in the morning. If we use things like smoke, loud noises, lights at sunrise, we can scare them away. 

However there is a catch. There’s no guarantee the flying-foxes will leave forever, they could come back a few weeks later, so we have to keep doing it for a really long time – which is also pretty disruptive to neighbours. Now if the flying-foxes do leave this area, they might just go somewhere nearby. Something else to consider is, that this method is actually quite harmful for the flying-foxes – imagine getting scared every night when you try to go to bed and having to run to another room. 

Lastly you need to think about the price, it’s expensive. It’s 90 Batty Bucks, so you’d be using nearly your whole budget. But I guess there is a chance they will leave this area. 

Option two – make a buffer (Episode 6)

By removing some of the trees or using sprinklers we’re able to push the flying-foxes back a little from the houses. So they’re further away, which makes them a little less noisy and smelly. By using this method we haven’t bothered the flying foxes too much and there’s little impact on the environment. But they will still be there and some people may still be affected. 

Creating a buffer costs 30 Batty Bucks so it’s a start – and you won’t break the bank. But you haven’t really solved the problem because the flying-foxes will still be there.

Option three – create a flying-fox habitat in a different location (Episode 7)

By planting trees and building creeks away from houses, it gives flying-foxes food and habitat away from people. This means less impact on humans like Sam, and the flying-foxes are happy too. Problem solved! Not quite. 

It can take up to 20 YEARS for the new habitat to be ready, so it does not get rid of the problem now. But on the plus side it only costs 20 Batty Bucks.

Option four – education (Episode 8)

Things like school talks, TV shows, books and videos, maybe even a PODCAST! – anything to teach people how important flying-foxes are to the environment. This means more people understand how important they are in keeping our forests healthy and they may not be as angry towards them. 

This option doesn’t damage the environment and it only costs 15 Batty Bucks. 

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