A threatened flying fox is moving into the suburbs

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-11-02 05:00

Australia; NSW

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While urban expansion poses risks for many native Australian species, the threatened grey-headed flying fox is learning to thrive in suburban neighbourhoods. Aussie researchers tracked 98 flying foxes via satellite for up to five years to see how they were living in urban and non-urban environments. They say flying foxes living in more natural habitats were still heading to human-modified land for about 26 to 38 per cent of their foraging needs. Flying foxes living in cities have diets that include plants they were not previously known for eating, making tree-lined streets, agriculture and nature patches in suburbs an inviting prospect. The researchers warn this may put flying foxes at risk in new ways, with humans, powerlines, fruit nets and suburban heat all dangerous should they find themselves trapped in the city.