Member spotlight! Anna Langguth
- wildlifedzaustrala
- Apr 28
- 6 min read
Name: Anna Langguth
Institution: The University of Melbourne
Year and type of graduate student program: Year 3, Doctor of Philosophy, Veterinary Science (PhD)
What is it that attracted you to your current graduate program and in particular to study in Australia?
Ever since graduating as a veterinarian, I have been meaning to bridge the gap between my previous studies and the wildlife research field. I felt that a PhD was really the best way to do that! When the project I’m currently working on came up, it instantly caught my attention. Not just because I would be working with bats (which is amazing in and of itself), but also because the project focused on mitigating the potential effects of a disease that had not yet entered Australia. I felt that it was very rare to see a project looking into pre-emptive strategies to combat a wildlife disease rather than just its impacts. I never thought I would move to Australia, but it has been such a wonderful opportunity to experience a country that has such a rich diversity of untouched nature and wildlife.
What has attracted you to focus on bats?
Bats have been among my favourite animals since childhood. When I was younger, my parents would take me to “bats nights” where a member of a local nature conservation group would make bat calls audible to us with an ultrasound detector. The fact that these small, flying mammals were out there - almost invisible to the eye - catching insects out of thin air absolutely fascinated me. At one point, I remember owning a book with stunning high-quality pictures of bats in flight as well, which drew me to them even more. There is such a diversity among bats! I probably also liked bats because they are such “underdogs” (i.e. they are often vilified in popular media), and so I naturally felt like I just had to share my enthusiasm for these species with others and convince them that bats were, in fact, quite amazing. From a professional perspective, bats are wonderful small mysteries to me. I’ve become quite interested in wildlife immunology in recent years, and what better mammals to look at in terms of complex immune responses than bats?
How can WDA-A members connect more with bats?
If anybody is keen to get more involved in the bat community, the Australasian Bat Society is a great place to start! They are a really welcoming group of people with a fantastic set of resources on their website: https://www.ausbats.org.au/ This includes the BatMap, an interactive map of the entire country that lets you see the distribution of all known species across Australia. They also host regular events, so keep an eye out for those! And if you are really keen to get closer to the bats in your area, there are devices such as the Echo Meter Touch, that plug into your phone and can make bat calls audible for you. Although there are some species, such as the white-striped free-tailed bat, whose calls are actually audible to the human ear without the need for any devices!
What types of day-to-day decisions would be beneficial for bat conservation in Australia?
While the best thing people can do for wildlife is usually to not disturb them (i.e. to not enter mines or caves which are known roosts), there are a couple of things people can do to help out bats in their neighbourhood:
At home/on private land:
Minimise light levels by switching off outside lights at night or use lights with a longer wavelength (i.e. red/ orange spectrum).
Why not consider building a bat roost box as a fun project with family/ friends to provide bats with some extra spaces to roost?
If you are netting your fruit trees, the risk of flying foxes getting tangled in the netting can be reduced significantly if the net is spread tautly over a frame rather than thrown loosely over the tree – black/ mono-filament types of netting should be avoided.
When pruning older trees, have a look at some of the tips provided by the Australasian Bat Society to help preserve potential bat roosts.
Minimise pesticide use.
While driving
Be mindful on roads at dawn and dusk: These are peak bat activity times. Reducing speed near known bat habitats (like forests or waterways) can help prevent collisions.
In urban & community planning
Support green spaces: Advocate for the inclusion of native trees and water features in local parks and reserves.
In recreation & caving
Follow decontamination protocols: When visiting caves, clean gear to prevent the spread of fungal spores like Pseudogymnoascus destructans (the cause of White-nose Syndrome).
Respect cave closures and signage: They are in place to protect bat maternity or hibernation sites.
Awareness
Stay informed and share knowledge: Helping others understand the importance of bats - as pollinators, insect control, and ecosystem engineers - builds public support for their conservation!
You received an Honourable Mention in the Art for Science category at the Wildlife Disease Association meeting in Canberra in 2024 for “When We Sleep: A story of a bat family surviving the seasons amidst the looming threat of an exotic fungus”. What were some key reflections for you from that meeting?
A key realisation for me has been the incredible potential of expressing our work in different formats. Not only does this give people whose strengths might not lie in traditional scientific conference presentations a way to share their work and experiences, but it also allows for stronger emotional connections through the use of the arts. I believe that emotional connection is vital as people will invest in what they care about. And as scientists working in wildlife health, that is ultimately what we want: for people to care about our work, support it, and, in doing so, support the health of wildlife.
How has being involved in the WDA-A section helped you during your graduate student program and what advice might you have for prospective graduate students?
Before moving to Australia, I was a member of the European section of the WDA and made many wonderful friends through it. When I arrived here, I was excited to discover that quite a few of my new colleagues were members of the Australasian section – where I was welcomed very warmly. Through the WDA-A, I have had the opportunity to form new connections, expand my network, and rapidly learn a lot about a diverse range of Australian species. These new friendships and connections have been invaluable not only professionally, but also personally. Fellow people in the field tend to understand the unique struggles faced by graduate researchers much better than people outside of it. It is a huge relief to be able to talk through worries and challenges with people who truly empathise with this very niche way of life. My advice to prospective graduate students would be don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make these new connections - especially within the WDA-A. Most people will be more than kind and inviting, and the advice you will receive can be incredibly helpful when you are trying to decide what direction to take next. Building connections is also a great way to open up future opportunities, whether it is a PhD or a job. And perhaps most importantly, it is wonderful to have friends in the wildlife field who really get what you are going through. And I truly believe the WDA-A is the best place to find those people.
What is your favourite non-scientific activity and how do you find time for it during a graduate student program?
I’ve been a hobby artist for most of my life and it really helps me unwind. I do not think you “find” time for certain activities; you have to actively make time for them. Personally, I tend to take most of my weekend off and will then sit down with whatever piece I am currently working on (currently trying my hand at watercolours), make myself a nice cup of tea or coffee and listen to some music I enjoy. It is very important for me to set time aside to do the things I enjoy – that is the only way I have energy to focus on my work during the week.
Where do you hope to go after completion of your program?
While I would be more than happy to pursue a postdoctoral position once I finish my PhD, I ultimately see myself moving into a more administrative role within wildlife health. I am particularly interested in the intersection of immunology and epidemiology, and I would love to eventually contribute to large-scale wildlife disease surveillance programs – whether in a governmental or academic setting. I have also discovered that I really enjoy teaching, so if I remain in academia, I would love to incorporate that into my work. Of course, a role that connects to bat conservation or allows me to continue working with bats in some capacity would be the dream!
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