Unfortunately,  bats often end up getting caught on barbed wire, and in bird nets.

Every year hundreds, if not thousands of native animals die in on barbed wire and on nets like the one in this picture - including threatened species such as Yellow-bellied Gliders and this Grey-headed Flying Fox.

This young flying fox was caught, along with eight others, in netting on a backyard fruit tree. The netting had been thrown over the tree, creating a death trap for birds, bats and reptiles.

It is a bit more effort to net trees properly - but think about the effect it has on wildlife, and most reasonable people would agree it is worth the effort.

What Can You Do?

If you live on a property, don't use barbed wire unless you absolutely need to. In most cases it is not needed.

In NSW, if commercial fruit growers put up a netting structure, they must make sure that the structure does not trap or injure protected and threatened animals such as flying foxes. You could be prosecuted if you fail to do this. Their are guidelines on the National Parks and Wildlife Service website that show how to net correctly.

For people growing fruit trees in their backyard, there are also guidelines on the National Parks & Wildlife Service website that show the best way to net to avoid injuring wildlife.  Clicking HERE will open that page of guidelines - it is well worth checking out.

Importantly, you should not try to rescue any type of bat yourself, as they may carry a dangerous virus (Australian Bat Lyssavirus). Only people who have been vaccinated against this virus should handle the bats. Although they are not aggressive animals by nature, any animal that is trapped and in pain will defend itself - it does not know you want to help.

Immediately contact NANA or your closest wildlife group - the longer they are tangled, the more damage gets done - even ten minutes could make a difference, as the tangled netting tightens and cuts of vital blood supply.