Flying Foxes, Found ‘Exhausted and Emaciated’ in Australia, Are Starving En Masse as Rescuers Field Up to 90 Calls a Day

### Mass Starvation Threatens Australia’s Flying Fox Population

Australia is facing a dire situation concerning its native flying foxes, especially the grey-headed variety, which are now grappling with a serious starvation crisis. Wildlife rescuers across New South Wales and parts of Victoria are inundated with calls about emaciated bats and their pups, with reports of death tolls rising alarmingly.

The Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) has noted an increase in distress calls, with rescuers receiving between 50 to 90 inquiries daily. The situation has deteriorated to the point where many bats are seen foraging on the ground for unripe fruit and struggling to remain in trees. Rachael Smethurst, a bat coordinator from FAWNA, explained the desperation of these animals as they invade backyards in search of edible plant materials.

The underlying causes of this crisis have been identified as habitat loss coupled with a particularly dry winter. This has led to poor flowering in eucalypts and other native trees, which are typically a significant food source for flying foxes. As native blossoms have become scarce, many pregnant female bats are now facing the heartbreaking reality of losing their young due to malnutrition.

WIRES has revealed that the environmental conditions this year have been particularly cruel for the flying fox species. The bats usually give birth around October; however, many expectant mothers lack the nutritional health needed to support their offspring. As a result, malnourished females are unable to produce milk or carry their pups to full term, leading to a tragic cycle of starvation and death.

Reports highlight that many bats are exhibiting unusual behaviour. Some are found eating off the ground or consuming water from grass patches after rainfall, rather than relying on their usual sources high in the trees. WIRES has documented instances of bats hanging too low in trees, evidently lacking the energy to maintain their typical roosting behaviour.

In Victoria, Tamsyn Hogarth, the director of the Fly By Night Bat Clinic, reported that rescuers are encountering starving pups that appear to be skeletal. Many of these juveniles are believed to have originated from New South Wales, highlighting the widespread nature of this crisis. The situation is particularly concerning as these poor animals are venturing out during the day, a significant departure from their typical nocturnal habits.

The crisis has also resulted in increased incidents of flying foxes succumbing to dangers such as barbed wire wounds, dog attacks, and electrocution from power lines. With grey-headed flying foxes typically giving birth to just one pup per year, the ecological ramifications of these losses could be severe. Hogarth warned that the population is already reeling from heatwaves suffered during the previous summer, as well as disturbances caused by infrastructure development in key habitats.

An official from the state’s environment department acknowledged that while the precise causes of the current food shortages are not fully understood, they can be exacerbated by climatic conditions, including drought and the influence of El Niño. Health officials have issued advisory notices to residents, urging them not to handle the bats and to report sightings of sick or deceased animals.

As this crisis continues to unfold, wildlife representatives are emphasising the importance of public involvement. Hogarth has encouraged community members to report any encounters with sick or dying flying foxes to local wildlife rescue services. This ensures that volunteers can check for pups and provide the necessary assistance to help these vulnerable creatures.

As the situation evolves, Australian communities are left grappling with the implications of this distressing crisis. The fate of the grey-headed flying fox hangs in the balance, underscoring the fragility of Australia’s unique wildlife amid environmental challenges.