Supporter and friend of MTBC, Australian conservation and animal welfare photojournalist Doug Gimesy, had his images recognized in two categories at the recent Siena International Photo Awards. Through his photographs, Gimesy helps shine a light on Australia’s often misunderstood, under-appreciated, but magnificent grey-headed flying foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus).
His photo-story of nine images titled “Fighting the heat” was awarded Remarkable Artwork in the Nature, Environment, and Conservation Issues category. “Fighting the heat” is a series that captures just some of the brutal impacts of climate-change-driven heat stress events on Australia’s grey-headed flying foxes (GHFFs), as well as some of the incredible efforts made in Victoria (Australia) by a variety of people and groups who care about wildlife — ranging from wildlife veterinarians, to wildlife rescue groups, firefighters, and park rangers.
Additionally, Gimesy’s breathtaking image, “Splash” was awarded an honorable mention in the Environment category. This image shows a grey-headed flying fox taking a high-speed belly dip to both cool off and get a drink of water.
A keystone species vital for ecosystem health, grey-headed flying foxes assist over 100 plant species by helping with seed dispersal and pollination. Listed as vulnerable to extinction, significant threats come from continued habitat destruction/degradation, conflict with people, and climate-change-driven events/impacts such as extreme heat-stress events and cold snaps.
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2024 © Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation. All rights reserved.
Michael Lazari Karapetian has over twenty years of investment management experience. He has a degree in business management, is a certified NBA agent, and gained early experience as a money manager for the Bank of America where he established model portfolios for high-net-worth clients. In 2003 he founded Lazari Capital Management, Inc. and Lazari Asset Management, Inc. He is President and CIO of both and manages over a half a billion in assets. In his personal time he champions philanthropic causes. He serves on the board of Moravian College and has a strong affinity for wildlife, both funding and volunteering on behalf of endangered species.
