Flying Foxes Plunge from Sky as Heatwave Grips Region
Wildlife carers across the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales have mobilised in a desperate effort to rescue flying foxes that have been falling from the sky during a recent severe heatwave. With temperatures soaring above 44 degrees Celsius, these vulnerable mammals faced life-threatening conditions, prompting an urgent response from dedicated volunteers.
Volunteers Race Against Time to Save Threatened Species
Queanbeyan-based wildlife rescuers drove more than two hours to Cowra in New South Wales when the extreme heat hit. Ali Humphreys, the Wildcare Queanbeyan bat coordinator, described the situation as critical, noting that flying foxes begin experiencing heat stress at temperatures above 38 degrees. "When it hits 42 and above, that's when we start getting worried about mass mortality events," Humphreys explained. "In previous heat events like this, it would wipe out half the population."
The volunteers prepared for the worst, anticipating up to 3,500 bats might fall from the sky in Cowra alone. While Humphreys couldn't provide exact numbers, she estimated several hundred flying foxes perished during the recent heatwave. These creatures face particular vulnerability due to their thin wings and susceptibility to dehydration, often requiring immediate fluid injections to survive.
Heartbreaking Rescues and Round-the-Clock Care
Wildcare volunteer Kylie Huntington was part of the emergency response team that rushed to Cowra at a moment's notice. "It was really urgent for us to work really quickly and see if they were still alive, check if they had a heartbeat," Huntington recalled. "It was just go, go, go. Sometimes they'd pass away in my arms while I was running as fast as I could."
Huntington's home, located just outside Queanbeyan, has become a temporary sanctuary for orphaned flying fox pups affected by the heatwave. Her residence is filled with veterinary supplies and enclosures that accommodate both flying foxes and kangaroos needing care. Remarkably, both Humphreys and Huntington maintain full-time jobs unrelated to wildlife conservation, volunteering their time and resources purely out of passion for animal welfare.
Recreating Natural Environments for Recovery
The rehabilitation process for these flying foxes involves meticulous care and attention to detail. Pups under 15 weeks old, who would normally still be with their parents, are raised by Huntington until they reach sufficient size for transfer to an aviary. This specialized enclosure, affectionately called the "creche" by wildlife carers, includes an adult male flying fox who serves as a teacher for the young bats.
"The teacher will look after the babies and teach them things like how to forage, how to not be scared of predators at nighttime," Huntington explained. "We're replicating what happens in the wild, so the babies can still have a teacher and learn how to be a grown-up bat." Once the flying foxes reach adulthood and develop necessary survival skills, they are released back into their natural habitat.
Funding Challenges and Future Concerns
These wildlife rescuers face significant financial challenges in their conservation efforts. While they receive some donations, much of the expense comes directly from their own pockets. Humphreys expressed concern about future heat events, warning that more hot days could lead to additional mass casualty events for flying foxes, which are already classified as a threatened species.
For members of the public who encounter unwell flying foxes, Humphreys offers crucial advice: do not approach the animals directly. Instead, concerned individuals should contact local wildlife rescue organisations who possess the expertise and equipment to handle these delicate creatures safely. This precaution protects both humans and the vulnerable flying foxes during stressful situations.
