Heatwave Kills ‘Thousands’ of Large Bats in Australia

A file image of a flying fox – commonly known as a giant fruit bat – as it hangs from its roost in Sydney, Australia. Ian Waldie/Getty Images

Volunteers have rushed to help thousands of bats affected by a heatwave in parts of the Australian city of Sydney.

Large fruit bats – known as flying foxes – were falling from trees in two parts of city’s west as temperatures reached up to 47.3 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit) on Sunday.