Long-distance movements of the grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

Abstract

The grey-headed flying fox Pteropus poliocephalus, a nationally vulnerable species, is endemic to coastal eastern Australia, from Maryborough, Queensland, through New South Wales to Melbourne, Victoria. Pteropus poliocephalus forages at night, primarily on eucalypt blossom within 50 km of traditional camps (day roosts), usually in dense, riparian vegetation. Several attempts have been made to track long-distance movements of P. poliocephalus across its extensive and climatically highly variable range, but the technology has been inadequate for tracking at the required speed and scale. Satellite tracking was used to monitor movements of a 2-year-old male P. poliocephalus, trapped at the Currie Park camp in the north of the species' range (28°48′S) from January 2000, and another from its most southerly camp, Melbourne (37°50′S), from April 2000. The first flying fox moved camp 50 km noth-east to Dallas Park, where it stayed until March, then transited at least 15 other camps between 28°12′–32°44′S, before returning to Dallas Park in September. The second flying fox remained in Melbourne until July, then transited at least six other camps to 33°44′S, before returning to Melbourne in January 2001. Both animals made round trips of at least 2000 km, traversing >4° latitude, before returning to their camps of origin, while other animals remained. The study suggests that P. poliocephalus is a partial migrant that uses winds to facilitate long-distance movements, and underlines the importance of management at a national scale.