The secret lives of flying-foxes: extremely mobile animals in a changing world

The fourth installment of the Ministry of Nerds Seminar Series will be held on the 22nd October (Friday) at 12 noon.

Dr. Himali Ratnayake's research group (Climate and Quantitative Ecology (CliQuE) Lab, and EcoServ will be hosting A/Prof. Justin Welbergen from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University, Australia.

Talk title – The secret lives of flying-foxes: extremely mobile animals in a changing world

Talk outline – In Australia and elsewhere, flying-foxes (or fruit bats) are often portrayed as noisy pests; yet, they are valuable native mammals that provide irreplaceable pollination and seed-dispersal services for free. Flying-fox colonies are highly organised collections of individuals that have flown in from far and wide in response to changes in local food availability. When food is locally plentiful, these colonies can become a cause for frustration and conflict, especially in urban communities, but current short-term management approaches generally fail to provide long-term solutions. In this broad-ranging presentation, Justin will talk about his work on the ecology and behaviour of these amazingly mobile creatures, the threats that flying-foxes face, and the current practices for management and conservation.

Zoom link – here
Meeting ID: 672 1527 3562
Passcode: ea%X71fX