title: Anthropogenic Factors Are the Major Cause of Hospital Admission of a Threatened Species, the Grey-Headed Flying Fox (Pteropus poliocephalus), in Victoria, Australia.
abstract: To determine the reasons for presentation and outcomes of hospitalised grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) in Victoria, Australia, a retrospective analysis was performed on 532 records from two wildlife hospitals. Cases were categorised based on presenting signs and outcomes determined. Anthropogenic factors (63.7%) were a major cause of flying fox admissions with entanglement in fruit netting the most significant risk for bats (36.8%). Overall the mortality rate for flying fox admissions was 59.3%. This study highlights the effects of urbanisation on wild animal populations and a need for continued public education in order to reduce morbidity and mortality of wildlife, especially threatened species.
authors.affiliation: Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Titus Franciscus
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Scheelings
authors.affiliation: The Royal Melbourne Zoological Gardens, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Sarah Elizabeth
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Frith
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000293:injuries; D056727:Endangered Species; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006762:Hospitals, Animal / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006802:Human Activities; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014739:Victoria; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary