Macquarie University researchers have joined forces with Australia’s largest wildlife rescue organization, WIRES, to tackle the spread of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” among flying fox populations. This collaboration aims to enhance biosecurity measures after the discovery that these superbugs, originating from humans, are infiltrating vulnerable wildlife.
Every summer, thousands of baby flying foxes are rescued across Australia as they become orphaned due to heat stress, habitat loss, and other human-induced impacts. Volunteers dedicate immense time and effort to hand-feed these pups, often for months. However, recent research indicates that human pollution is also exposing these animals to antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Tracking Superbugs from Humans to Wildlife
The study zeroed in on the grey-headed flying fox, a species crucial for pollination but now listed as vulnerable. Over two and a half years, researchers collected more than 570 samples from orphaned pups in care. The findings were alarming: nearly one in three pups carried E. coli strains resistant to common antibiotics, and about one in ten harbored bacteria resistant to multiple drugs.
“The bacteria we’re finding in these animals evolved in humans or domestic animals,” says Dr. Fiona McDougall, a Research Fellow at Macquarie’s School of Natural Sciences. “It’s confronting to realize that we’re effectively polluting the environment with microbes that then spill over into wildlife.”
The infection pathway is believed to start with water contaminated by human or animal waste. Adult flying foxes engage in a behavior known as ‘belly-dipping’ to drink, which involves skimming the water surface and licking it off their fur. This exposes their clinging pups directly to any bacteria present in the water.
Dr. McDougall explains, “For the first few weeks of life, these pups rely entirely on their mothers, so if the water is contaminated, they’re infected early. Their gut bacteria are still developing, which makes them especially vulnerable.” In a tragic instance, a pup in care succumbed to sepsis linked to multidrug-resistant bacteria, underscoring the severe implications of antimicrobial resistance.
Protecting Wildlife and Their Carers
The collaboration between Macquarie University and WIRES has resulted in the development of new biosecurity guidelines for wildlife rehabilitation. These include practical measures such as wearing masks while cleaning cages, washing hands between handling animals, using separate equipment for each enclosure, and keeping domestic pets away from wildlife.
“Wildlife carers give extraordinary amounts of their time, energy, and even their homes to these animals,” says Professor Michelle Power, who leads Macquarie’s Wildlife Health and Disease team. “Our goal is to make their work safer and more effective, using evidence-based strategies that can be applied globally.”
Professor Power highlights the role of antibiotic overuse in humans, pets, and even wildlife care in fueling resistance, thereby giving harmful bacteria an evolutionary advantage. She stresses the importance of establishing antimicrobial stewardship within the wildlife sector to protect both animals and people.
A Global Model for ‘One Health’
The findings from this study reinforce the World Health Organization’s One Health principle, which emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. By identifying how human-origin superbugs spread into wildlife populations, the Macquarie-WIRES partnership is contributing to a global understanding of infection pathways.
“This is a global issue,” Professor Power asserts. “Wildlife rehabilitation happens everywhere – and the lessons we’re learning here in Australia can inform international best practice.”
To further this initiative, training workshops for carers and veterinarians are being planned, focusing on biosecurity and responsible antibiotic use. The researchers aspire for their work to inspire similar collaborations worldwide, uniting scientists and volunteers in the mission to protect the planet’s most vulnerable species.
“Caring for wildlife is an act of compassion,” Dr. McDougall concludes. “Our research shows it’s also part of safeguarding global health.”
