A live-streaming camera has been installed in a NSW national park to allow viewers to observe grey-headed flying foxes in real time, providing a unique opportunity for the public to engage with these fascinating creatures.
The grey-headed flying fox, found along Australia’s coastal belt from southern Queensland to Victoria, is listed as vulnerable (at high risk of extinction in the medium term) by both New South Wales and Commonwealth authorities.
The camera, installed by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) in Wingham Brush Nature Reserve near Taree, offers an intimate look at the bats as they socialise, groom and care for their young.
“We hope viewers will enjoy watching the flying foxes in their natural habitat, especially as they hang upside down and interact,” Tabetha Kempe, acting team leader for NPWS Manning's Great Lakes Area, told ABC News.
Grey-headed flying foxes play a crucial role in ecosystems by pollinating plants and dispersing seeds in native forests. They are key environmental species, capable of carrying pollen over greater distances than any birds or bees.
The initiative also aims to enhance researchers' understanding of how these bats respond to extreme weather events. With the population declining due to habitat loss and climate change, real-time monitoring can provide insights into their behaviour during storms and heatwaves.
Conservation groups, including the Ku-ring-gai Bat Conservation Society, have warmly welcomed the imitative, noting that it can help reduce misunderstandings of these unique native animals, which are often seen as pests.
While we hope you’re as entertained as we are by watching these flying foxes in action, the “BatCam” serves as a significant advancement in wildlife conservation and public education, fostering a deeper appreciation for the species and their vital roles in our ecosystems. As the year goes by, audiences can even look forward to seeing the bats in the maternal roost with their pups!
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