Heatwave in Australia

44C! It is still late spring in Australia. What will the summer be like?  October was the warmest month on the planet in a year that may be the hottest on record.

Heatwave hell as 5000 dead bats drop from trees in Casino, northern NSW

EXTREME heat has killed thousands bats in northern NSW, with wildlife carers now working around the clock to save hundreds of orphaned babies while council workers clear huge piles of flying fox carcasses.

Extreme heat in Casino northern NSW has caused the deaths of scores of bats. Picture: Dee Hartin

the Daily Telegraph

18 November, 2014

Temperatures rocketed to 44 degrees in Casino on Saturday, sparking the mass deaths of up to 5000 flying foxes, many of which simply dropped out of trees and were dead before they hit the ground.

In similar scenes, more than 2000 flying foxes perished in the Richmond Valley at the weekend.

There were extraordinary scenes as the bat carcasses began piling up on the ground, sparking warnings to the public not to touch the animals for fear of catching viruses or other illnesses.

Mass death scene ... Bat carcasses line the street. Picture: Dee Hartin

Richmond Valley Council workers have been attempting to clear the bodies around central parts of Casino but staff have been unable to reach some outlying locations.

“Some areas along the riverbank are inaccessible and the stench from the rotting carcasses will be quite unbearable for some time yet,” said council manager John Walker.

“People should avoid the area and not try to help living bats themselves as they could bite and scratch and some carry the lyssavirus.”

Lyssavirus is similar to rabies.

Warning ... Extreme heat is killing bats in northern NSW. Picture: Dee Hartin

SES crews help clear the area of dead bats. Picture: Dee Hartin

The cleanup continues following the death of so many bats. Picture: Facebook

Hundreds of bat babies somehow managed to survive the huge heatwave-induced massacre and about 450 of the pups are now being cared for by WIRES animal rescue staff.

There are so many babies that WIRES teams from neighbouring areas have been drafted in to provide back-up.

“The task is ongoing; carers are working round the clock and emotions are tested as carers do what they can to ensure each and every little flying fox is taken care of while dealing with the sight of thousands of adults and juveniles dead and dying,” WIRES said on Facebook.

Baby bats cling to a WIRES volunteer. Picture: Dee Hartin

The animals are hosed down to try and beat the heat. Picture: Dee Hartin

While the heatwave struck Casino on Saturday, bats continued dying through Sunday and Monday, when temperatures eased a little.

In an effort to stem the death toll emergency workers, including Rural Fire Service volunteers, began spraying trees with cool water.

Another 50 baby bats were taken in by WIRES staff on Monday.

The organisation has appealed for help with drinks and snacks to help staff caring for the animals.