FLYING FOXES
Grey-headed flying foxes are unable to cope with high temperatures, dropping dead from heat exhaustion. The shape of the bats’ claws means that they are often left hanging for days after death. Often their young, no more than a few weeks old, are orphaned or abandoned in the heat.
Flying foxes are endemic to Australia. They are Australia’s only long distance pollinators and a vital part of the ecosystem. Due to widespread habitat loss and extreme climate events, such as drought and heatwaves, they are listed a vulnerable by the government. They often colonise forested areas within urban environments which are in rapid decline.
This photo series documents volunteers from a local rescue charity, who spend the hottest days of the year cooling the bats down with water and saving, dehydrated and malnourished babies.
(With thanks to Hunter Wildlife Rescue.)