HEATWAVES and fire conditions the Greater Shepparton area have been sweating through has affected many areas of local life, leaving wildlife exhausted and at risk.
In catastrophic weather events, native animals like the little red flying foxes, and the threatened grey headed flying foxes rely on the support of volunteer wildlife organisations to protect local bat colonies by providing water to hydrate and cool them down.
Unfortunately, consistently hot weather like recently experienced can be fatal when both time and volunteers are both short.
Across our past heatwave spanning from January 7 to 9, where temperatures reached almost 46 degrees, local flying fox colonies faced losses of bats estimated from anywhere between a hundred to thousands. It’s estimated that around 10 per cent of Tatura’s colony was lost to heat related deaths.
Due to better conditions and support in recent extreme heat events, losses have now dropped to only 30-50 across each colony. Kylee Donkers from Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter, whose team have been monitoring the Tocumwal colony, stressed that “people don’t realise that turning on a sprinkler for half an hour, how many lives that can save”. Sprinklers make a great source of clean, gentle water for animals to cool down under.
Kirsty Ramadan, from Bohollow Wildlife Shelter, has dedicated time to protecting Numurkah’s bat colony said that leaving shallow bowls of fresh water in shady areas out around a property for thirsty and heat distressed animals is another way to help.
Deb Fowler, also from Bohollow Wildlife Shelter, who has worked with Tatura’s flying fox colony, warned to be careful of touching and getting close to distressed flying foxes, which can carry rabies – a potentially fatal disease.
If you find a distressed or heat exhausted animal in your area, get in contact with your local wildlife shelter for support and advice:
Bohollow Wildlife Shelter: Bunbartha, VIC Area:
Deb Fowler – 0418 328 671, Kirsty Ramadan – 0447 636953.
Dutch Thunder Wildlife Shelter: Koonoomoo VIC 0417 560 910
