About 100 bats died at Brimbank Park in Melbourne’s north-west last week, after thousands perished earlier in January. Wildlife Victoria, which sent teams to nationally significant camps in northern Victoria, estimated more than 700 grey-headed flying foxes died at Tatura, from a camp of 5,000. View image in fullscreen When flying foxes experience heat stress they move lower down in trees, often clumping together in shady spots. Photograph: Doug Gimesy/Wildlife VictoriaTemperatures above 42C are known to cause mortality in flying foxes. Grey-headed flying foxes, listed as vulnerable under federal environment laws, continued to be most affected.

Source: The Guardian February 04, 2026 23:01 UTC