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Use only white knitted bird and bat netting to protect
backyard fruit trees from wildlife. Netting must be tensioned over a frame (see below) so that wildlife 'bounce' off it rather than getting entangled. It must be white for better visibility day and night, and checked daily.
We are advocating for:
1. A total ban from import/sale of all monofilament (thin nylon type) netting and all black netting, Australia wide.
2. Mandatory labelling of backyard fruit trees at point of sale alerting the public to the dangers of using any form of netting to protect their backyard fruit trees and their responsibilities to avoid injuring wildlife.
3. Mandatory labelling of all netting at point of sale, showing correct methods of using netting.
4. Translations of correct netting methods to be made in several languages and warnings of the legalities and penalties of harming wildlife must be included in these translations.
Media Release August 2007:
"Following consultation with the RSPCA, Mitre 10 Australia has deranged its black anti-bird netting products to help protect native wildlife, particularly flying-foxes, birds and possums from injury and death. Mitre 10 Australia will continue to range the recommended heavily knitted white netting products, which are more easily seen by wildlife.
In addition to black anti-bird netting, Mitre 10 Australia has also deranged Glue Traps, a method of pest control. Mitre 10 does not range Spike Snap Traps which are also of concern, however we are aware that some Mitre 10 Group stores do on an individual basis.
Mitre 10 has actioned the delivery of appropriate educational material to its entire store network to ensure store staff are aware of the concern around the sale of Spike Snap Traps, Glue Traps & Black Bird Netting. Mitre 10 Australia has de-ranged these products from national ranging and strongly recommends to Mitre 10's independently owned stores to do the same on any locally ranged products."
The Victorian Advocates For Animals (VAFA) has been negotiating the withdrawal of microfilament nets from sale at a number of outlets besides Mitre 10. Danks (Thrifty Link & Home Hardware) has agreed to `de-range` all black netting (& glue traps) from its 348 stores Australia wide. Flower Power (13 stores) has agreed not to restock black netting and, in future, to sell only white knitted netting. Bunnings (248 stores) has also agreed to `trade out` and not re-stock its supplies of black and white monofilament netting. Black `knitted` netting will be sold with installation instructions. VAFA will review this with Bunnings in 12 months time. Together this accounts for a total of 1051 stores around Australia. "We still have a way to go but some milestones have definitely been passed. "
We encourage you to:
1. Complain about monofilament netting and black netting of any type every time you see it on sale.
2. Take digital photos of monofilament net caught animals. Carers can photograph the progression of injuries over time. Photos can be sent to us for the website.
3. Report any rescues from netting on a Rescue Form that will soon be available here online.
4. Help to educate the public about the dangers of netting.
Do not try to rescue the animal yourself unless you are an experienced handler, especially for bats. In Queensland, call 1300 ANIMAL, the RSPCA 24hour hotline.
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| Drawing: Louise Saunders |
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Drawing: Louise Saunders |
A frame for netting can be made from PVC pipe, metal or timber. Leave at least one metre clearance around the tree. Stretch knitted bird/bat netting with a mesh size 40mm or smaller over the frame, a simple overlapping of netting, fastened with a tomato stake, to enable the owner access for new growth, pruning and fruit picking. Star pickets driven into the ground can be used to hold the frame securely to the ground.
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Photo: Jenny Maclean This commercial netting is white, knitted and goes to the ground (all good!), but the net over the tree in the foreground has holes that allow wildlife to get trapped under the net.. |
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Photo: Jenny Maclean A mild case of dieback of mouth tissues from netting. |
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Photo: Jenny Maclean This bat also has mild injuries around the neck. |
For more information on correct procedures for netting backyard fruit trees visit:
In New South Wales,
www.sydneybats.org.au click on 'urban bat issues'
In Queensland,
www.epa.qld.gov.au search 'netting'
www.batrescue.org.au click on 'rescue and rehab'
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