ABOUT 4000 flying foxes died from heat exhaustion in the record temperatures experienced on Tuesday January 8, and last Friday.
A local bat colony, which is currently populated by juveniles, was decimated by the recent heat, despite local efforts to help them.
The juvenile bats are too young to fly and too large to be carried to cooler areas by the adults.
Wildlife Rescue South Coast bat co-ordinator Gerardine Hawkins led a team of volunteers to the colony in readiness of last Friday’s heat.
“National Parks brought in a water tanker and we saturated under the tree canopy,” she said.
“We also had volunteers with water sprayers soaking the trees.
Ms Hawkins reminded people not to touch bats that were injured.
“If someone is bitten or scratched that bat has to be euthanased to be tested for disease, so the safest thing to do is phone us.”
Wildlife Rescue South Coast can be contacted on 0418 427 214.
