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Bats

Analysis and Comment (2)

Michis0806
People who get to know flying foxes are less likely to loathe them. michis

Conservation shouldn’t be a popularity contest

By Dominique Thiriet, James Cook University

Even Australia’s most iconic, charismatic species are in danger of extinction. Species such as the cassowary, Tasmanian devil and koala all enjoy significant community support and relatively generous funding…
Fruit_bat_shellac
Fruit bats carry disease, pollen and a warning about the state of the environment. shellac/Flickr

Culling bats isn’t the way to control Hendra virus

By Jon Luly, James Cook University and Lee Skerratt, James Cook University

This year has had the lot. First came the tempest, then the floods. Fires are on their way as the landscape dries out. Now we have pestilence, in the form of Hendra virus. Calls for bat culls have ensued…

Research Briefs (2)

Hendra virus: high mortality rate in humans

Australian Medical Association

The Hendra virus (HeV) infection has a high mortality rate in humans, killing four of the seven people who have ever contracted…

Fruit bats navigate with internal maps

Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Egyptian fruit bats use an internal, landmark-based map to navigate their local area, a new study has found. The discovery…