Canberrans use netting to protect their backyard fruit trees, but netting with too wide a gauge traps grey-headed flying foxes (an endangered species), possums, snakes, and birds, and many die in pain and distress.

Jo Clay, ACT Greens spokesperson for Animal Welfare, will today call in the Legislative Assembly that all household netting be animal-friendly, so that creatures are no longer caught, injured, or killed in people’s yards.

“This better-quality netting is safer for the flying foxes and the rescuers who risk their safety climbing trees,” said Denise Kay, from ACT Wildlife. “At the moment, the netting we are cutting bats out of is atrocious. We really want to see some decent netting on the market, and assistance with the cost for people to change over.”

Animal-friendly netting has a narrow gauge – 5mm by 5mm – which means much wildlife is less likely to be trapped, Ms Clay explained. It is widely available; many outlets already stock it. Victoria introduced similar netting requirements in August to protect wildlife.

Ms Clay will call for an implementation date of 1 January 2023. This will give time for government to develop legislation and programs in consultation with the community and ACT Wildlife, and to run an educational program to help residents replace old netting with animal-friendly netting.

Ms Clay also wants to make sure the old netting is properly disposed of, so it does not pollute the environment.

Last year, 71 flying foxes were caught in netting in people’s backyards. Since these creatures are nocturnal, when one is caught, it can be hours or days until it is discovered.

“It causes unnecessary pain and suffering for the animals, and it’s upsetting for wildlife carers and residents,” Ms Clay said.

With climate change, more flying foxes have come to the ACT, and Denise Kay does not think that is likely to slow down.

“Rescuing flying foxes is a risky job undertaken by a few dedicated volunteers,” she said. “We are legally required to be vaccinated before we can handle bats, and we need to climb trees to get them out. I’m 73 years old, but I do this for the love of these magnificent animals.”

Looking after injured flying foxes is expensive, she said; each adult consumes 500g of fruit a day, then there is the cost of medication. Trying to find a vet who is appropriately vaccinated and prepared to see a flying fox is also near impossible, Ms Kay said.

“[Animal-friendly netting] would be very welcome, and we hope to see this commitment from the ACT Government in the near future.”