Farmers call for rethink as phase-out of flying fox shooting permits looms

A flying fox fortress greets visitors as they drive onto Craig Van Rooyen’s Bundaberg lychee orchard.

He has spent more than $2 million over 20 years trying to defend his crop from the native fruit bats.

“I have lights, I have sound systems, I have drones, I have quad bikes, I have netting,” he…