GARDENERS are being urged to use wildlife-friendly netting when trying to protect their backyard crops, as wildlife carers and authorities report a spike in animal injuries and deaths from entanglements over summer.
The Conservation Regulator has issued a warning about the dangers illegal netting poses to native wildlife, such as birds, bats, and possums, and are reminding household growers that they must use safe, compliant (preferably white) fruit netting with mesh no bigger than 5mm by 5mm.
Users of illegal netting face on-the-spot fines of $384 while sellers can be fined $769.
First published in the Mornington News – 6 February 2024
