Heatwave Devastates Thousands of Flying Foxes Across Australia

Thousands of grey-headed flying foxes have died across South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales during a severe heatwave—the worst mass mortality since the 2019-20 black summer—with estimates ranging from about 1,000–2,000 in SA, thousands in Victoria, and up to 1,000 in NSW. Volunteers rescued some pups, but many orphans face death from heat stress, starvation or predation, while researchers note that temperatures above 42°C dramatically reduce survival and nectar availability. Public should not handle distressed bats; wildlife groups report stretched capacity and no national rescue strategy, underscoring wildlife vulnerability to extreme heat amid climate change.