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How one heatwave killed 'a third' of a bat species in Australia | How one heatwave killed 'a third' of a bat species in Australia |
(1 day later) | |
Over two days in November, record-breaking heat in Australia's north wiped out almost one-third of the nation's spectacled flying foxes, according to researchers. | Over two days in November, record-breaking heat in Australia's north wiped out almost one-third of the nation's spectacled flying foxes, according to researchers. |
The animals, also known as spectacled fruit bats, were unable to survive in temperatures which exceeded 42C. | The animals, also known as spectacled fruit bats, were unable to survive in temperatures which exceeded 42C. |
In the city of Cairns, locals saw bats toppling from trees into backyards, swimming pools and other locations. | In the city of Cairns, locals saw bats toppling from trees into backyards, swimming pools and other locations. |
Wildlife rescuers found surviving animals clumped together, usually on branches closer to the ground. | Wildlife rescuers found surviving animals clumped together, usually on branches closer to the ground. |
"It was totally depressing," one rescuer, David White, told the BBC. | "It was totally depressing," one rescuer, David White, told the BBC. |
'Biblical scale' | 'Biblical scale' |
Last week, researchers from Western Sydney University finalised their conclusion that about 23,000 spectacled flying foxes died in the event on 26 and 27 November. | Last week, researchers from Western Sydney University finalised their conclusion that about 23,000 spectacled flying foxes died in the event on 26 and 27 November. |
That tally was reached through counting by wildlife volunteers who visited seven flying fox camps following the heatwave. | That tally was reached through counting by wildlife volunteers who visited seven flying fox camps following the heatwave. |
Lead researcher Dr Justin Welbergen, an ecologist, believes the "biblical scale" of deaths could be even higher - as many as 30,000 - because some settlements had not been counted. | Lead researcher Dr Justin Welbergen, an ecologist, believes the "biblical scale" of deaths could be even higher - as many as 30,000 - because some settlements had not been counted. |
Australia had only an estimated 75,000 spectacled flying foxes before November, according to government-backed statistics. | Australia had only an estimated 75,000 spectacled flying foxes before November, according to government-backed statistics. |
"This sort of event has not happened in Australia this far north since European settlement," says Dr Welbergen, who is also the president of the Australasian Bat Society, a not-for-profit conservation group. | |
The spectacled flying fox - so named for light-coloured fur around its eyes - can also be found in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. | The spectacled flying fox - so named for light-coloured fur around its eyes - can also be found in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. |
In Australia, the species is only found in a small rainforest region of northern Queensland, where it helps to pollinate native trees. | In Australia, the species is only found in a small rainforest region of northern Queensland, where it helps to pollinate native trees. |
Dr Welbergen says about 10,000 bats of another species - black flying foxes - succumbed to the heat during the same two-day period. | Dr Welbergen says about 10,000 bats of another species - black flying foxes - succumbed to the heat during the same two-day period. |
Flying foxes often experience fatal heat stress when temperatures eclipse 42C, scientists say. During November's heatwave, Cairns recorded its highest-ever temperature of 42.6C. | Flying foxes often experience fatal heat stress when temperatures eclipse 42C, scientists say. During November's heatwave, Cairns recorded its highest-ever temperature of 42.6C. |
'Canary in the mine' | 'Canary in the mine' |
Flying foxes are no more sensitive to extreme heat than some other species, experts say. | Flying foxes are no more sensitive to extreme heat than some other species, experts say. |
But because they often gather in urban areas in large numbers, their deaths can be more conspicuous, and easily documented. | But because they often gather in urban areas in large numbers, their deaths can be more conspicuous, and easily documented. |
"It raises concerns as to the fate of other creatures who have more secretive, secluded lifestyles," Dr Welbergen says. | "It raises concerns as to the fate of other creatures who have more secretive, secluded lifestyles," Dr Welbergen says. |
He sees the bats as the "the canary in the coal mine for climate change". | He sees the bats as the "the canary in the coal mine for climate change". |
"It is clear from the present data that these [heat] events are having a very serious impact on the species," Dr Welbergen says. "And it's clear from climate change projections that this is set to escalate in the future." | "It is clear from the present data that these [heat] events are having a very serious impact on the species," Dr Welbergen says. "And it's clear from climate change projections that this is set to escalate in the future." |
Battle for protection | Battle for protection |
Experts have long been concerned about the survival of spectacled flying foxes. | Experts have long been concerned about the survival of spectacled flying foxes. |
Its population has more than halved in the past decade, says Dr David Westcott, who chairs the government's National Flying Fox Monitoring Programme. | Its population has more than halved in the past decade, says Dr David Westcott, who chairs the government's National Flying Fox Monitoring Programme. |
In the past, mass deaths in the population were often associated with cyclones. But in recent years heatwaves have become a bigger risk, Dr Westcott says. | In the past, mass deaths in the population were often associated with cyclones. But in recent years heatwaves have become a bigger risk, Dr Westcott says. |
"We're very concerned. It's been a massive population decline for a species that isn't under a great deal of pressure outside of these weather events," he tells the BBC. | "We're very concerned. It's been a massive population decline for a species that isn't under a great deal of pressure outside of these weather events," he tells the BBC. |
Even prior to November's heatwave, conservationists were lobbying the Australian government to upgrade its classification of the species from "vulnerable" to "endangered" - a move which would strengthen efforts to help it. | Even prior to November's heatwave, conservationists were lobbying the Australian government to upgrade its classification of the species from "vulnerable" to "endangered" - a move which would strengthen efforts to help it. |
Globally, the species is listed as of "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. | Globally, the species is listed as of "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List. |
Some experts worry that public antipathy to bats may hinder conservation efforts. This is usually related to fears about contracting diseases from bats, and their noise in urban areas. | Some experts worry that public antipathy to bats may hinder conservation efforts. This is usually related to fears about contracting diseases from bats, and their noise in urban areas. |
This week, amid a heatwave in New South Wales, authorities warned people against approaching bats due to reports of aggression. | This week, amid a heatwave in New South Wales, authorities warned people against approaching bats due to reports of aggression. |
"They're seen as these rats in the sky, so any preservation effort is hard going," Dr Westcott says. | "They're seen as these rats in the sky, so any preservation effort is hard going," Dr Westcott says. |
"You can bet there were some people glad to see so many bats go down in the heatwave." | "You can bet there were some people glad to see so many bats go down in the heatwave." |
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