Yes, spectacled flying foxes are noisy and drop poo everywhere. But our rainforests need them

In Far North Queensland, one special winged mammal helps keep rainforests alive. The spectacled flying fox travels vast distances each night, pollinating flowers and spreading seeds far and wide.

But the species is in trouble. It’s now listed as endangered, yet – as my new paper shows – little has been done to protect this vital species.

The spectacled flying fox has a PR problem. It can be seen as a noisy, smelly pest — especially when it roosts in urban areas. But this doesn’t justify inaction.

Local groups and scientists are working to protect the spectacled flying fox, but government support is lacking. Without urgent action, a species that helps hold rainforests together might be gone for good.

A spectacled forest saviour

The spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) is named for the light-coloured fur around its eyes, which resembles spectacles. It’s found in the Wet Tropics and Cape York in Far North Queensland, and plays a vital role in the region’s rainforests.

Spectacled flying-foxes can fly more than 200 kilometres in a single night – leaving their roosts to find food and returning by morning.

The animals feed on the fruit and nectar of many tree species. They pollinate flowers and move fruits in their guts and mouths. This boosts biodiversity and helps keep trees healthy by preventing inbreeding.

Recovery plans aren’t enough

Global warming and habitat loss are the two biggest threats to the survival of the spectacled flying fox. Persecution by humans is also a threat.

The spectacled flying fox population is in sharp decline. Recent numbers are hard to come by, due to a lack of monitoring. But between 2004 and 2017, the species’ numbers fell by an estimated 75%, and it is listed nationally as endangered.

Authorities draw up “recovery plans” for some endangered species. The plans outline threats to a species, and the action required to prevent its extinction. Species that receive a recovery plan are considered fortunate. Many threatened species never get one.

The federal and Queensland governments jointly published a recovery plan for the spectacled flying fox in 2010, which expired in 2020.

Even a recovery plan does not prevent a species from declining. As I outline in my new paper, most of the 25 recovery actions for the spectacled flying fox haven’t happened.

They include protecting native foraging habitat, increasing knowledge of roosting requirements, and protecting important camps.

The National Flying Fox Monitoring Program did proceed. It provided scientific evidence that the spectacled flying fox population has declined, prompting a change in its status from vulnerable to endangered. However, the program is no longer operating.

Threats are growing

My paper also provides the first update since 2011 of threats to the spectacled flying fox.

Extreme heat is now a lethal reality for the species. For example, in 2018 a major heatwave in Cairns killed 23,000 individuals over several days. This was the first mass death recorded for the species.

Habitat destruction continues, despite the species’ endangered status. Every year, more than 2,000 hectares of forest – which could serve as habitat for the spectacled flying fox – is cleared.

Invasive ants are a new challenge. They can affect roosting behaviour in flying foxes and even kill animals such as skinks.

Introduced grasses are also a threat because they change forest airflows which keep the roosts cool and increase fire risk.

Humans also pose a threat. Spectacled flying foxes have been harassed and deliberately killed. They can also become caught in nets over fruit trees and die.

Some people consider the spectacled flying fox to be a nuisance. This can lead to damaging policies that prioritise public convenience over a species’ decline.

A PR problem

Spectacled flying-foxes can congregate in large numbers and become noisy and smelly. They can also roost in urban areas and drop faeces onto properties and public places. This soils paintwork, swimming pools, roofs and clothes on washing lines.

But these impacts can be minimised – for example, by installing pool covers and shade structures.

Flying foxes carry diseases that can cause illness in people and livestock. Most can be prevented by hygiene measures and avoided by not handling bats. People who regularly handle bats are inoculated to prevent infection.

Sometimes, flying foxes are wrongly accused of carrying certain diseases, as occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Flying foxes also eat fruits in gardens and orchards and can damage fruit trees. However, netting is available to protect fruit.

Looking ahead

Positive, citizen-led action is being taken to prevent the extinction of the spectacled flying-fox. For example, the Tolga Bat Hospital rescues individuals and advocates for the species.

Researchers are monitoring spectacled flying fox colonies using drones, and investigating the species’ heat tolerance. Research and monitoring is also being conducted through federal funding.

But the continued decline in numbers of the spectacled flying fox shows much more action is needed.

Governments are not required to publicly report whether recovery plans are acted on. This must change. And long-term, dedicated funding is needed for conservation and research.

The spectacled flying fox urgently needs our help. The problems they cause can be managed, and their ecological value far outweighs the nuisance.