Reducing human-wildlife conflict through subsidizing mitigation equipment and services: helping communities living with the gray-headed flying-fox
Matthew Mo, Mike Roache, Marie‐Claire A. Demers
Abstract
Flying-foxes in urban areas can have negative impacts on residents from noise, smell and feces. This article examined six programs in eastern Australia that offered subsidized equipment and services to mitigate those impacts. Program design was variable, with common subsidies including vehicle and clothesline covers, high-pressure water cleaners and exotic tree removal. Residents reported reduced impacts in some cases, but in others equipment and services had only shifted the nature of the impact. Exotic tree removal was an effective service for residents disturbed by foraging flying-foxes. This forced animals to forage elsewhere, thus requiring no continuing mitigation. Programs commonly assessed residents’ eligibility based on property distance from the camp and delivered subsidies as partial or full reimbursements for purchases. Managers who design programs that best meet community needs have an increased probability of alleviating human-wildlife conflicts.