A heatwave in NSW killed nearly 650 flying foxes, mostly vulnerable grey-headed bats, on January 11, 2026.

A severe heatwave in New South Wales’ Illawarra region on January 11, 2026, caused nearly 650 flying fox deaths in Dapto and Figtree colonies, with temperatures reaching 42.6°C in Albion Park—among the highest on record. The extreme heat overwhelmed bat populations, killing adults and orphaning juveniles, with grey-headed flying foxes, a vulnerable species, making up a significant portion of the fatalities. Volunteers from WIRES described the scene as traumatic, rescuing only a few live bats, most of which were euthanized due to severe heat stress. The event is part of a broader pattern of heat-related wildlife mortality across NSW and Victoria, raising concerns about long-term population impacts. Authorities warn the public not to touch dead or sick bats due to the risk of Australian bat lyssavirus and urge reporting sightings to WIRES.