Thread: Kangaroos, Emus, Parrots Drop Dead as Australia Sizzles in Record-Breaking Heat Wave

Kangaroos, Emus, Parrots Drop Dead as Australia Sizzles in Record-Breaking Heat Wave

By Reissa Su | January 10, 2014 12:05 PM EST

Animals are collapsing and falling down from the sky as Australia continues to sizzle in record-breaking temperatures. After news of 100,000 bats falling from the sky, reports of kangaroos "fainting" because of exhaustion and scorching heat have circulated in the country.


REUTERS
Angelina, a seven-year-old Red Kangaroo, is pierced by an anaesthetic dart in preparation for treatment of lumpy jaw disease at the the Gan-Garoo Australian park, which features wildlife from Australia, near Kibbutz Nir David in northern Israel December 7, 2010.

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A large number of kangaroos, parrots and emus were reportedly found dead in Winton, one of the hottest spots in Queensland. Winton Shire Council chief executive Tom Upton stated the deaths of animals had as much to do with the prolonged dry season and the heat wave. Hunters claimed to have seen groups of kangaroos staying near waterholes to cool down and seek relief from rising temperatures.

Australia's weather bureau has recorded a temperature of 50 degrees Celsius in the sparsely populated Pilbara region on Jan 9. According to historical records, the highest recorded temperature in Australia was set in 1960 with 50.7C in Oodnadatta in South Australia.

Weather experts say this record may be broken in the coming days if current temperatures continue to rise. Temperature records across Australia have already been broken in the past few weeks with the heat wave's onslaught.

Australian Bureau of Meteorology Climate Monitoring Manager Karly Braganza stated that the delayed arrival of a monsoon in northern Australia is contributing to the sweltering heat. The monsoon is said to have a cooling effect in the region.

Mr Braganza added global warning as another contributing factor to the ongoing heat wave.

The heat wave in Queensland, Australia, caused 100,000 bats to fall from the sky to their deaths. The RSPCA reported seeing thousands of bats in 25 separate colonies, which were found dead on the ground in southern Queensland, including Boonah, Gatton, Laidley, Mt. Ommaney, Palmwoods and Redbank.

The Scenic Rim Regional Council has ordered a massive cleanup to collect the bat carcasses since the stench is beginning to bother locals. Residents near Athol Terrace lookout in Boonah said they have been agonising over the smell of dead bats for four days. Queensland Health has advised residents not to touch the dead bats. Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young stated that bats should be left alone to avoid the risk of infection with lyssavirus.

The southern hemisphere's high temperature is in contrast with the deep freeze in some parts of North America caused by a phenomenon known as the polar vortex.

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http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/53369...ing-winton.htm

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