SYDNEY (January 8, 2026) Humane World for Animals Australia (formerly called Humane Society International) has criticised the Crisafulli Government’s decision to reverse the former government’s phase-out of shooting flying foxes for crop protection. The animal protection charity says the move seriously undermines progress toward effective non-lethal management and brings back animal suffering.
The phase-out of flying-fox shooting in Queensland was due to conclude on 1 July 2026, having given landholders three years to transition to non-lethal crop protection methods. Humane World for Animals understands that 39 fruit growers who were shooting flying foxes took advantage of government grants to install nets to protect their crops as a humane and non-lethal solution to flying fox predation. However, six fruit growers farming lychees and mangos, are still requesting permits to shoot approximately 1,600 animals.
The change in policy could allow landholders who had previously stopped shooting to resume lethal control under crop-protection permits, despite growing evidence that non-lethal measures such as wildlife-friendly netting provide more effective and reliable protection for crops.
Shooting is widely recognised as an imprecise method that can result in animals being injured rather than killed outright, leading to prolonged suffering and the risk of dependent young being left without care.
Dr Renae Charalambous, Wildlife Program Manager at Humane World for Animals Australia, said the reversal undermines progress toward more humane wildlife management in Queensland.
“Queensland was moving toward an evidence-based approach that reduced reliance on lethal control. Reversing the phase-out creates uncertainty and brings back practices that carry well-documented animal welfare risks,” Dr Charalambous said.
Rather than reinstating shooting, the focus should be on supporting remaining landholders to transition to non-lethal alternatives.
ENDS.
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Together, we tackle the root causes of animal cruelty and suffering to create permanent change. With millions of supporters and work happening in over 50 countries, Humane World for Animals—formerly called Humane Society International—addresses the most deeply entrenched forms of animal cruelty and suffering. As the leading voice in the animal protection space, we work to end the cruelest practices, care for animals in crisis and build a stronger animal protection movement. Driving toward the greatest global impact, we aim to achieve the vision behind our name: a more humane world.
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Contact details:
Dr Renae Charalambous – Wildlife Program Manager at Humane World for Animals Australia
M: 0410366900
E: rcharalambous@humaneworld.org
