A mysterious illness striking down some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife has prompted a warning from rescuers who say cases of the little-known phenomenon are the worst they’ve seen in five years.
Flying Foxes and Lorikeets, who share the same diet, are being hit with a paralysis syndrome which leaves them falling from the sky and “no one knows” what is causing it. Advocates are desperately pleading with Aussies to report cases as soon as they can to increase their chances of survival from the life-threatening condition.
“It is crucial to encourage people to call for a rescuer as soon as they see a bat alone during the day or close to the ground,” Rhiannon Traish-Walker, President of Bats QLD, told Yahoo News Australia. “The sooner we can reach them, the better their chances of survival.”
Flying Foxes have been spotted across southeast Queensland falling from their roosts. Source: Supplied
Flying fox paralysis syndrome and lorikeet paralysis syndromes
It’s understood that both species have been coming down with paralysis in the summer months in South East Queensland and North East NSW, with an environmental toxin considered the most likely explanation for what is going on.
Symptoms in bats include paralysis, protruding tongues, inability to swallow and difficulty breathing. Birds also experience paralysis along with voice changes, and the inability to stand, blink or swallow.
Wildlife rescuers have been working around the clock to treat the animals but now fear that there is no light at the end of the tunnel. “It’s not stopping,” Bats Qld warned online.
“Flying Fox Paralysis Syndrome (FFPS) is spreading, and more Flying Fox camps (roosts) are becoming affected. The same is true for Lorikeets, with hundreds now in care.”
While the cause is unknown, what advocates do know is that the syndrome has occurred over the past five years and “this year is by far the worst”.
“It often follows heavy rainfall, and both Flying Foxes and Lorikeets share the same diet—pollen and fruit. We believe FFPS is not contagious to other animals, as it hasn’t transferred to other bats or birds in care for different reasons,” the not-for-profit group said.
Rescuing paralysed wildlife is ‘soul-destroying’ work
Rescuers have described working “tirelessly” to scour camps for flying foxes at night, and collecting affected bats and their “orphans” as “soul-destroying”.
“This crisis is taking a toll on the mental health of our rescuers, transporters, hotline operators, vet staff, and even members of the public who encounter these suffering animals,” Bats Qld shared.
“It also affects the families of our rehabilitators, who sacrifice time with loved ones to save those they can. We’re exhausted, drained, and heartbroken. And it’s only getting worse.”
Councils are helping wildlife rescuers spread the word with signs near known flying fox communities. Source: Supplied
Council praised for taking action amid plea for help
Despite the tragic scenes, local councils are joining the effort to warn the public of the wildlife “emergency”. The City of Logan council in Brisbane has erected signs in parks near camps of flying foxes so that the public knows what to do if they see an animal in trouble.
“We’re grateful that local councils are starting to put up signs around flying fox camps, warning of this wildlife emergency,” Bats Qld said, as the organisation desperately pleads for donations to help solve the crises. Donations can be made at batsqld.org.au.
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