Geoff Helisma | The Maclean flying-fox colony has expanded to take in virtually all of the mapped habitat area, including the rainforest reserve within Maclean High School’s grounds. The Independent tried to obtain answers about the rapid expansion of the colony, however, was not able to speak directly to the Office of Environment and Heritage’s expert on the colony. However, some questions were answered by the OEH’s public affairs officer. She acknowledged that “historically, numbers increase this time of year (Sept/Oct), as flying-foxes move into the region to give birth”. “Currently there are many pregnant females, and females with young in the Maclean roost,” she wrote in her emailed answers. “It is expected that the pregnant flying-foxes will give birth and stay at Maclean until their young are independent and can fly (early 2019). “This influx and persistence of the animal in Maclean is due to the productive and ongoing flowering of eucalyptus trees throughout the Lower Clarence region.” The Independent also asked: What is the colony made up of [since the influx]; mainly little reds? Answer: “Most of the flying-foxes in Maclean are grey-headed flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus), with a few hundred black flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto).” However, the management strategy, which was updated in August 2018, notes that “OEH will be immediately contacted if LRFF [little red flying-foxes] are present between March and October, or are identified as being in final trimester / with dependent young”. On dispersal, the updated strategy notes that 17 known flying-fox dispersals between 1990 and 2013 were analysed. It was found in all cases that dispersed animals did not abandon the local area. In 16 of the 17 cases, dispersals did not reduce the number of flying-foxes in the local area. Dispersed animals did not move far. In all cases, it was not possible to predict where replacement camps would form. Conflict was often not resolved. In 71 per cent of cases, conflict was still being reported either at the original site or within the local area years after the initial dispersal actions. The strategy also notes the outcome of 25 dispersal attempts in Queensland between November 2013 and November 2014 (the first year after the current Queensland state flying-fox management framework was adopted). It was found that in nine of the roosts dispersed, dispersal actions did not reduce the number of flying-foxes in the LGA (local government area). In all cases, it was not possible to predict where new roosts would form. When flying-foxes were dispersed, they did not move further than 6 kilometres away. As at November 2014, repeat actions had already been required in 18 cases. Conflict for the council and community was resolved in 60 per cent of cases, but with many of the councils stating that they feel the resolution is only temporary. The financial costs of all dispersal attempts – regardless of methods used – were considerable.