SATELLITE TECHNOLOGY TO TRACK FLYING FOXES
Published Wednesday, 17 October, 2007 at 10:28 AM
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation
The Honourable Andrew McNamara
Satellite technology is being used for the first time in Queensland for studying flying fox habits in a joint Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and Griffith University research project.
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said solar-powered satellite tags were attached today to six adult grey-headed flying foxes to track where they are roosting in the daytime and feeding during the night.
“This satellite technology will provide invaluable insights into the habits of grey-headed flying foxes, which are a threatened species,” Mr McNamara said.
“The 12 month research project will inform habitat management and conservation including enhancing existing camp sites.
“The project will also assist with management strategies for flying-fox camps near residential areas, and help identify alternative camp sites with less impact on residential areas.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has successfully used satellite transmitters to track the movements of other threatened species including our turtles and we look forward to success with this project.
“The EPA is actively protecting Queensland’s wildlife and the ecosystems in which they live and we are delighted to partner with Griffith University on this ground breaking research project to protect the threatened grey-headed flying fox.
“Grey-headed flying fox populations have decreased significantly in the past ten years, largely due to the loss of foraging and roosting habitat.
“It is important to protect the grey-headed flying fox, which feeds on native flowers and fruits, because it plays a vital role in maintaining our biodiversity through seed dispersal and pollination.
“To protect threatened species such as the grey-headed flying fox it is important that we understand how they live, how we impact on them, and, most importantly, how we can help them to survive.”
Mr McNamara said the data from the satellite transmitters would be used for habitat modelling and mapping and to assess the availability of habitat.
“The grey-headed flying fox travels up to 20km each night and has been known to travel up to 50km from one camp to another and this satellite technology will enable us to track where they are going,” he said.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Photos and video footage are available on request
Minister for Sustainability, Climate Change and Innovation, Andrew McNamara, said solar-powered satellite tags were attached today to six adult grey-headed flying foxes to track where they are roosting in the daytime and feeding during the night.
“This satellite technology will provide invaluable insights into the habits of grey-headed flying foxes, which are a threatened species,” Mr McNamara said.
“The 12 month research project will inform habitat management and conservation including enhancing existing camp sites.
“The project will also assist with management strategies for flying-fox camps near residential areas, and help identify alternative camp sites with less impact on residential areas.
“The Environmental Protection Agency has successfully used satellite transmitters to track the movements of other threatened species including our turtles and we look forward to success with this project.
“The EPA is actively protecting Queensland’s wildlife and the ecosystems in which they live and we are delighted to partner with Griffith University on this ground breaking research project to protect the threatened grey-headed flying fox.
“Grey-headed flying fox populations have decreased significantly in the past ten years, largely due to the loss of foraging and roosting habitat.
“It is important to protect the grey-headed flying fox, which feeds on native flowers and fruits, because it plays a vital role in maintaining our biodiversity through seed dispersal and pollination.
“To protect threatened species such as the grey-headed flying fox it is important that we understand how they live, how we impact on them, and, most importantly, how we can help them to survive.”
Mr McNamara said the data from the satellite transmitters would be used for habitat modelling and mapping and to assess the availability of habitat.
“The grey-headed flying fox travels up to 20km each night and has been known to travel up to 50km from one camp to another and this satellite technology will enable us to track where they are going,” he said.
Media contact: Peter McCarthy 3336 8004
Photos and video footage are available on request