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Subscriber only IPSWICH Nature Centre is set to remain closed to the public for the foreseeable future amid a record-breaking flying fox infestation. Councillor Russell Milligan on Tuesday revealed the latest figures showed about 22,500 of the animals were currently roosting at Queens Park. The largest number previously recorded was in 2014 at a total of about 15,000. The revelation comes just weeks after Ipswich City Council closed the area in response safety concerns over the growing population. West Moreton Health also confirmed two bats infected with Australian Bat Lyssavirus were found around Ipswich Central State School last week. The virus can prove lethal to humans, if infected.
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IPSWICH Nature Centre will remain closed this week, with a flying fox colony that has taken up residence at the visitor hot spot increasing in size over the weekend.
The centre closed last Friday, with council officers returning to the roost on Monday to reassess the colony.
More than 5000 flying foxes make the trees in the Nature Centre their home during migration.
There are three species of flying fox roosting in the park: Black flying fox Pteropus Alecto, Grey-headed flying fox Pterpopus poliocephalus and Little red flying fox Pteropus scapulatus.
Although only weighing 600g each, little reds roost in tight clumps which causes the branches to break.