Dr Sheema Abdul Aziz (pic below), the only ecologist in Malaysia specialising in flying fox conservation ecology, said the flying fox is a forgotten animal. She added that the flying fox is a victim of the negative perception of it as a health threat and a pest. She added there was also an urgent need to research the conflict between flying foxes and fruit farmers who want the animal eradicated. “We need to understand how much economic loss flying foxes are causing and come up with effective conflict mitigation options,” she said. Related stories:Flying foxes to be upgraded to 'totally protected species'Dwindling flying fox numbers, dying durian market

Source: The Star September 30, 2017 03:15 UTC