Flying fox research

Research overview

Urbanisation connects wildlife, domestic animals and humans, and the pathogens they carry. In Australia, flying-foxes are well established in urban areas with numbers in some urban locations increasing. There is a wealth of knowledge on viral diseases spread by flying foxes. However, their role in transmission of non-viral zoonoses is poorly understood. Given the proximity of flying foxes to humans, the transmission of human-derived pathogens to flying foxes is also possible.

We are investigating the prevalence and diversity of enteric protozoa and haemprotozoa in flying foxes. We are also determining if human-derived bacteria have established in flying foxes. Our work will aid flying fox health and conservation and address public health issues associated with urbanisation of flying foxes.

Collaborators: Wayne Boardman (University of Adelaide) and Juliane Schaer (Max Planck Institute, Berlin).

Funding: Ian Potter Foundation