Tourists flock to see flying foxes
Full flight: Flying foxes above Cairns have become a spectacular daytime show wowing the city's visitors. Picture: MARC McCORMACK
FLYING foxes soaring above Cairns each afternoon are a huge hit with tourists.
Dozens of visitors have been gathering near the Cairns Library at the corner of Abbott and Aplin streets each afternoon to watch hordes of bats flying away from nearby trees in search of food at dusk.
Pictures: Cairns' amazing wildlife
For the past two weeks, the bats have been filling the sky at least three hours earlier than usual, creating an impressive sight in daytime.
Tolga Bat Hospital co-ordinator Jenny Maclean believed the bats had become more active earlier because of the wet weather.
"With all this wet weather, it’s very hard for them to get out and find food," Ms Maclean said.
"They are hungrier than usual by 2pm and haven’t been able to get out as much the night before."
Ben Harvey, the manager of the Koala Beach Resort in Lake St, said the bats were a spectacular sight during the day.
"It definitely seems to be getting earlier and they really stand out in the light of the sky," he said.
Mr Harvey said the flying foxes were tourism drawcard for Cairns.
"I think it’s very unique," he said.
"I’ve come up from Sydney and it’s something that really amazes me."
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