Prevention is better than cure when managing flying-fox camps

Abstract

"Prevention is better than cure" according to flying-fox carers and conservationists in Australasia. Key issues of concern to carers and conservationists were discussed at a plenary session of the Symposium on the Biology and Conservation of Australasian Bats in April, 2007. The three main topics addressed related more to megabats than microbats, but many of the concepts have broad application. Overall aims were to share experiences, to share solutions, to avoid re-inventing wheels; to provide strength in numbers and mutual support, collaborating to achieve common goals. Attempts were also made to air and explore some different approaches, since a different angle can sometimes solve a local problem; this also expanded our understanding of the rationale for some of the different decisions taken by other carer groups. Each topic elicited agreement that every camp is different, and each event is different. Luckily there is an enormous wealth of experience, goodwill, creativity and perseverance amongst carers and carer organizations.