Global Warming: It’s raining BATS!

Photo from:  http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/81840-3x2-940x627.jpg

   Heat wave struck southern Queensland in Australia during the first week of the current year. As a result, a number of 100,000 bats fell from the sky and trees. Massive deaths at 25 colonies of these mammals were recorded.

   According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals spokesman Michael Beatty, heat waves of about 109 degrees Fahrenheit were "basically a catastrophe for all the bat colonies in southeast Queensland."

  However, this not only proved a problem. The stench of the carcasses of the bats eaten by maggots affected the populace and feared to may have cause health-related issues.  However, residents have been advised that workers will not be sent to collect the carcasses to avoid further disruption to nearby colonies.

Heat waves were primarily caused by extremely high temperature and humidity, not allowing air movement to occur.  Prolonged exposure to heat will affect human and animal health, and it may also cause disruption to community services such as transportation and power supply.

  “Global warming is bringing more frequent and severe heat waves, and the result will be serious for vulnerable populations”, Dr. Amanda Staudt, a climate scientist from the National Wildlife Federation said. 

  Climate change will just continue to take place however its adverse effects can be prevented. Because if not, probably not only bats will be seen falling from the sky, and lives of everyone, everything will be in grave danger. Thus, not only scientists, environmentalists must take vital actions to stop global warming but also US.

Blogpost by: Sariah Kate Acama

References:

Bavas, Josh. "About 100,000 Bats Dead after Heatwave in Southern Queensland." ABC News. N.p., 8 Jan. 2014. Web. 21 Jan. 2014. <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-01-08/hundred-thousand-dead-bats-after-qld-heatwave-rspca-says/5190644>.

"Global Warming and Heat Waves." - National Wildlife Federation. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan. 2014. <http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Threats-to-Wildlife/Global-Warming/Global-Warming-is-Causing-Extreme-Weather/Heat-Waves.aspx>.