Field in Focus: Flying Foxes

Mapping the flight path of Indian flying foxes in Myanmar will help scientists learn more about where these megabats travel, and where they encounter humans and domestic animals. For the first time, scientists are tracking them with light-weight GPS trackers. The trackers will provide a window into the bats' movements that could help humans. If scientists know where bats are interacting with humans and domestic animals, they can help prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases—and maybe even help predict the next pandemic.