A survey of all known Spectacled Flying Fox camps in the wet tropics was undertaken in March 1998 with the assistance of volunteers. About 153 000 flying foxes were counted at 12 major camps. These data are compared with historical data and the status of the species in Australia is discussed. The imperative for conservation management of the Spectacled Flying Fox is emphasized regardless of its official conservation status, particularly in relation to seed dispersal and pollination of rainforest plants. The most important component of this management must be the development of non-lethal deterrence at orchards followed by the development of methods for countering tick paralysis. Further annual censuses will be necessary to monitor population trends in comparison with me current baseline. This initial census was conducted as part of an integrated approach to Spectacled Flying Fox management by fruit growers, researchers, conservation groups and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Research-Article|
March 17 2014
The conservation status of the Spectacled Flying Fox Pteropus conspicillatus in Australia
Stephen Garnett;
Stephen Garnett
1
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, P.O. Box 2066, Cairns, Queensland 4870
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Olivia Whybird;
Olivia Whybird
2
P.O. Box 9, Millaa Millaa, Queensland 4886
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Hugh Spencer
Hugh Spencer
3
Australian Tropical Research Foundation, PMB 5, Cape Tribulation, Queensland 4873
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Australian Zoologist (1999) 31 (1): 38–54.
Citation
Stephen Garnett, Olivia Whybird, Hugh Spencer; The conservation status of the Spectacled Flying Fox Pteropus conspicillatus in Australia. Australian Zoologist 1 June 1999; 31 (1): 38–54. doi: https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.1999.006
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