Nomination to Delist a Threatened Species
For delisting a native species from any category in the list of threatened species under the
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act)
Nominated Species
1.
NAME OF NOMINATED SPECIES (OR SUBSPECIES)
Scientific name: Pteropus conspicillatus
Common name: Spectacled Flying Fox
2.
CATEGORY IN WHICH THE SPECIES IS CURRENTLY LISTED
Please mark the boxes that apply by clicking them with your mouse.
What category is the species currently listed in
Is the species listed as threatened in any States or Territories?
under the EPBC Act?
Mark the relevant category the species is listed in and indicate which states
or territories the listing related to:
Extinct
Extinct in the wild
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Conservation dependent
Rare/Least Concern - Queensland and IUCN
Not listed
Other
Extinct
Extinct in the wild
Critically Endangered
Endangered
Vulnerable
Conservation dependent
Reasons for the Nomination
3.
REASON FOR THE NOMINATION TO DELISTED
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What is the reason for the nomination:
Genuine change of status
Taxonomy -
4.
newly split
Knowledge
newly described
newly lumped
Mistake
Other
no longer valid/recognised
TAXONOMY
If the nomination is due to a change in taxonomy, provide details and references.
5.
INITIAL LISTING
Describe the reasons for the species’ initial listing and if available the criteria under which it was formerly
considered eligible.
The Recommendation to the Minister from the Threatened Species Scientific Committee (TSSC) (attached)
attributed eligibility for listing as vulnerable against two criteria;
Criterion 1 – Decline in numbers and
Criterion 5- The probability of its extinction in the wild is at least 10% in the medium-term future.
6.
CHANGES IN SITUATION
With regard for the listing criteria, how have circumstances changed since the species was listed that now
makes it eligible for delisting?
If climate change is being referred to as a reason for such a change in situation, please refer to the Guidelines
for assessing climate change as a threat to native species (Attachment B; Part B2).
Criterion 1- Decline in numbers. The TSSC Recommendation report commented on the analysis of modelling
of flying fox populations that showed a low capacity for population increase, dependent on low mortality and
high survival of adults. The report also included challenges to the validity of inputs to the modelling. The
report cited the use of “electric grids” to electrocute flying foxes in tropical orchards as a major contributor to
high mortality (Qld DEH stated that grids kill thousands of spectacled flying foxes each year).
However following on from a Federal Court of Australia decision (2000) the Queensland Government
effectively banned the use of electric grids by making it mandatory to apply for a Damage Mitigation Permit for
any action that interferes with or disturbs (spectacled) flying foxes. Since that time no permits have been
issued for use of electric grids, thus removing the main driver for determining the rate of decline of spectacled
flying fox numbers.
Criterion 2-Geographic Distribution. This factor is unchanged since the decision to list. However Dr David
Wescott (personal communication) stted that during the current survey the previous small colony within the
Cape York region had not been located. The species is also located in PNG and the Solomon Islands. Dr
Wescott also states that the species are not extensively migratory, the inference being that localised impacts
will not necessarily affect the survival of the species at large.
Criterion 3- Population Size and decline in numbers or distribution. The TSSC report gives qualified data on
numbers ranging from 153,000 in 1998 to around 80,000 in 1999 and 2000. XXXX XXXX (pers. comm.) has given
me figures of around 200,000 animals based on his current survey work. The data does not provide estimates
of confidence limits or errors at this stage. There is no evidence of any change to distribution.
Criterion 4-Population size. See 3 above
Criterion 5-The probability of its extinction in the wild…. The TSSC report uses the assumed mortality from
extensive use of electric grids (see 1 above) to support a prediction of extinction of the species in 99 years.
Given the cessation of use of electric grids the validity of this criterion to support listing would seem to be
negated.
Species Information
7.
DESCRIPTION
Please provide references or links to sites that provide a description of the species
Dept of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities – SPRAT, Spectacled Flying Fox
Population Size
8.
NUMBERS
a.
What is the estimated total number of mature individuals? How was this figure derived?
See section 10, criterion 3, above
9.
POPULATION TREND
a.
What is the population trend (PAST to CURRENT) for the entire species is it declining or increasing? Provide relevant data
sources.
The current CSIRO survey (Wescott 2013) indicates an increase in numbers, see section 10 criterion 3 above
Is this trend likely to continue, or are there any data which indicate FUTURE changes in population size? Provide relevant
data sources.
No evidence of any significant adverse impacts
Does the species undergo extreme fluctuations in number of mature individuals?
Apart from data derived from current and past surveys there is no evidence of extreme fluctuations
b.
c.
10. PROBABILITY OF EXTINCTION IN THE WILD
Identify and explain any quantitative measures or models that address the probability of the species’ extinction in the wild over
a particular timeframe.
See the TSSC report and the current status in section 10 above.
Geographic Distribution
11. GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION
Describe the species' global distribution.
See the TSSC report, distribution in tropical coastal Queensland, Torres Straits, PNG and Solomon Islands.
12. EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE within Australia
NOTE: The distribution of the species within Australia is assessed in two ways, the EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE and the AREA OF OCCUPANCY. The
two concepts are closely related, and often confused. Therefore, before you answer this question, please see the definitions and explanatory
material in Attachment A.
a.
What is the CURRENT extent of occurrence (in km2)? Explain how it was calculated and provide relevant data sources.
b.
Has the extent of occurrence changed over time (PAST to CURRENT)? If so, provide evidence.
c.
Is the extent of occurrence expected to decline in FUTURE? If so, provide evidence.
d.
Does the species undergo extreme fluctuations in its extent of occurrence? If so, provide evidence.
There is no evidence of any significant changes since listing, with the one exception (XXXX XXXX personal
communication) that a previous small colony in Cape York was not located during this current survey
13. AREA OF OCCUPANCY
NOTE: The distribution of the species within Australia is assessed in two ways, the EXTENT OF OCCURRENCE and the AREA OF OCCUPANCY. The
two concepts are closely related, and often confused. Therefore, before you answer this question, please see the definitions and explanatory
material in Attachment A.
a.
What is the CURRENT area of occupancy (in km2)? Explain how it was calculated and provide relevant data sources.
b.
Has the area of occupancy changed over time (PAST to CURRENT)? If so, provide evidence.
c.
Is the area of occupancy expected to decline in FUTURE? If so, provide evidence.
d.
Does the species undergo extreme fluctuations in its area of occupancy? If so, provide evidence.
There is no evidence of any change. There are 20-30 recorded and unrecorded sites of colonies in Tropical Queensland of
which around 10 are occupied at any time.
14. PRECARIOUSNESS
Is the species' geographic distribution severely fragmented, or known to exist at a limited number of locations?
Is the area, extent and/or quality of the species' habitat in continuing decline (observed / inferred / projected)?
Is the number of locations or subpopulations in continuing decline (observed / inferred / projected)?
Are there extreme fluctuations in the number of locations or subpopulations of this species?
Please ensure that you provide evidence and appropriate references.
There is no evidence of recent changes to the status of habitat. The recorded colony sites (17 above) have existed for a
considerable period of time. The species feeds on native and introduced trees and there is an abundance of roosting habitat.
XXXX XXXX stated that the characteristics of a roost on the Atherton Tablelands was replicated in more than 100 similar sites
across the Tablelands.
a.
b.
c.
d.
15. PROTECTED AREAS
Is the species protected within the reserve system (e.g. national parks, Indigenous Protected Areas or other conservation
estates, private land covenants, etc.)? If so, which populations? Which reserves are actively managed for this species? Give
details.
No reserves specifically for spectacled flying foxes
Threats
16. KNOWN THREATS
Identify any KNOWN threats to the species, and state clearly whether these are past, current or future threats.
 Electric gridding was a past and potentially significant threat to the species, no current permits for gridding..
 Legal culling by farmers in tropical horticulture areas, see Qld Dept of Environment and Heritage Protection – Code of
Practice-Ecologically Sustainable lethal Take of Flying Foxes for Crop Protection. An annual cull limit of 1800
spectacled flying foxes applies.
 Illegal culling – anecdotal evidence only. Severe penalties under Queensland and Commonwealth legislation
17. POTENTIAL THREATS
Identify any POTENTIAL threats to the species.
None known
Surveys and Monitoring
18. DISTINCTIVENESS
Give details of the distinctiveness of the species.
Is this species taxonomically distinct? Taxonomic distinctiveness is a measure of how unique a species is relative to other species.
Yes see 11 above
How distinct is this species in its appearance from other species? How likely is it to be misidentified?
19. DETECTABILITY
Give details of the detectability of the species.
Provide information on how easy the species is to detect and the ease in which it has/can be surveyed.
 If relevant, provide information on when and how surveys should be conducted, for example:
Recommended methods
Season, time of day, weather conditions
Length, intensity and pattern of search effort
Limitations and whether or not the method is accepted by experts
Survey-effort guide
- Methods for detecting the species.
Survey methods are available from Dr Westcott (personal communication)
20. SURVEYS
Provide information on survey effort to date, and any ongoing/proposed monitoring programs.
Current survey of known spectacled flying fox colonies is underway, led by Dr Wescott (personal communication) Principal
Research Scientist CSIRO Atherton
Conservation Management Actions
21. CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
Provide details of current conservation management actions for the species. Include details of recovery plans, threat abatement
actions, state government programs, work being undertaken by conservation groups, protected areas for the species, rebuilding
or restocking programs etc.
See http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/publications/recovery/pteropus-
conspicillatus.html
22. REDUCTION OR CESSATION OF CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT ACTIONS
If the management actions referred to in Question 25 were to be reduced or cease as a result of the species being delisted,
would this result in the decline of the species at such a rate that it would again become eligible for listing in the foreseeable
future? Please ensure that you provide evidence and appropriate references to support your response.
Indigenous Values
23. INDIGENOUS CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
Is the species known to have cultural significance for Indigenous groups within Australia? If so, to which groups? Provide
information on the nature of this significance if publicly available.
Reviewers and Further Information
24. REVIEWER(S)
Has this nomination been reviewed? Have relevant experts been consulted on this nomination? If so, please include their names
and current professional positions.
 Dr David Westcott, Principal Research Scientist CSIRO Atherton. Dr Westcott did NOT review the nomination however was
consulted on the data provided. Dr Westcott is currently overseas.
 Mike Devery, Manager Wildlife Operations, Qld Dept of Environment and Heritage Protection was consulted on damage
Mitigation Permits and the Code of Practice for Lethal Take.
25. FURTHER INFORMATION
Identify relevant studies or management documentation that might relate to the species (e.g. research projects, national park
management plans, recovery plans, conservation plans, threat abatement plans, etc.).
26. REFERENCE LIST
Please list key references/documentation you have referred to in your nomination.
 Hobday AJ, Okey TA, Poloczanska ES, Kunz TJ, and Ricardson AJ (eds) (2006). Impacts of climate change on Australian marine
life. Report to the Australian Grenhouse Office, Canberra, Australia.
http://www.australiancoralreefsociety.org/pdf/Hobday%20et%20al%202006.pdf


Steffen W, Burbidge A, Hughes L, Kitching R, Lindenmayer D, Musgrave W, Stafford Smith M & Werner P (2009). Australia's
Biodiversity and Climate Change. CSIRO Publishing.
Steffen W, Burbidge A, Hughes L, Kitching R, Lindenmayer D, Musgrave W, Stafford Smith M & Werner P 2009. Australia's
Biodiversity and Climate Change, Technical Synthesis. Technical synthesis of a report to the Natural Resource Management
Ministerial Council. Department of Climate Change. Commonwealth of Australia.
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/publications/biodiversity/biodiversity-climatechange.aspx (only available online)