Scientists fear this ‘cute’ and ‘chonky’ flying fox could be one cyclone away from extinction

The number of Christmas Island flying foxes, which is considered a’keystone species’ due to its important role in pollination and seed dispersal, is declining. Photograph: Chris Bray

It’s the last native mammal on the island, but the “incredibly cute and fluffy” Christmas Island flying fox is critically endangered with no recovery plan and severely outdated conservation advice.

The flying fox is smaller and fluffier than many of Australia’s mainland flying fox species, according to animal ecologist Dr Annabel Dorrestein, from Western Sydney University, who has studied the species for nine years.