A destructive heatwave hit Australia’s east coast this weekend, killing hundreds of flying foxes. Around 500 black and grey-headed flying foxes were found dead near Brooks Creek in Dapto, Illawarra, and another 170 in nearby Figtree. Sydney and southern New South Wales reported similar losses. WIRES volunteer Storm Stanford called it “the Illawarra’s largest mass casualty on record.” Flying foxes do not sweat and cool themselves by panting. Black flying foxes, which prefer tropical climates, suffered more deaths than the temperate grey-headed bats. Experts say up to one-third of the Brooks Creek colony may have perished. The heatwave mainly harmed young and weak bats. Around 30 baby flying foxes lost their parents and were rescued by wildlife carers like Rebecca Daly. These infants need urgent medical care to survive. The bats face ongoing threats from food shortages and kidney problems caused by extreme heat. Rescuers stress the need to monitor bat colonies after heatwaves to fully grasp the impact. Installing sprinklers in bat roosts and providing shade and water could help reduce deaths. Volunteers and local councils worked together to remove carcasses and care for orphaned bats during the crisis. With climate change causing more intense heatwaves, community help and timely rescue efforts are vital to protect these vulnerable animals.