Northern Territory rangers investigate mystery cause behind hundreds of fruit bat deaths in Katherine

ABC Katherine / By Samantha Dick

Posted Fri 26 May 2023

A bat in a vivid green tree.

A ranger suspects the bats may be dying due to starvation.(ABC News: Michael Franchi)

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Hundreds of black fruit bats are dropping dead in the Northern Territory town of Katherine, prompting an investigation by local rangers.

NT Parks and Wildlife ranger Stacey Kessner said staff at the popular Nitmiluk National Park have reported piles of dead bats on the ground.

Bat carcasses have also been found at schools and underneath trees in Katherine.

"We've had quite a few call-outs to come and get the bats that are not well," Ms Kessner said.

It is unclear why the bats are dying in large numbers, though Ms Kessner suspects the cause could be starvation.

"The most likely case is there's just not enough food around," she said.

"The blossoms from eucalyptus and paperbark and grevilleas are either not enough, or they haven't blossomed yet to feed the black flying foxes."

Ms Kessner urged residents to contact NT Parks instead of removing the bats themselves.

BatsRule!