By Tilda Colling

Topic: Animals

Baby flying foxes are falling out of trees and many have died.

In short:

Many dead and dying flying foxes are in Katherine and Pine Creek.

Wildlife rescuers are trying to save the native fruit bats.

What's next?

Veterinarians are concerned about the environment, but the government says the population will recover.

Wildlife rescuers are trying to save hundreds of flying fox pups.

Many dead and dying juvenile flying foxes are in Katherine and Pine Creek.

More than 20 wildlife workers and volunteers are saving the pups.

Kacey Farris says hearing the baby bats scream was devastating.

Kacey Farris said it was devastating to hear the stricken creatures screaming.

Hundreds are dead, and they're falling around while trying to rescue others.

Interstate transfer denied

The veterinary hospital's staff is working long hours to care for the bats.

The government declined to offer additional workers or funding.

Rescuers have saved dozens of flying foxes, with one volunteer caring for up to 45.

The local vets applied for a permit to send surviving bats for specialist care, but it was denied.

The government said the transfer was denied due to biosecurity risks.

The chief veterinary officer is investigating the high mortality rates.

The fruit bat pups need to be fed up to five times a day.

The deaths are likely due to starvation from the recent weather events.

Public urged to steer clear

Rebecca Webster said her findings agree with the government's conclusions.

The adults left their babies before the cyclone, and now the babies are alone.

This is an unprecedented event for the Northern Territory.

Flying foxes are important for spreading pollen and regenerating forests.

Rebecca Webster says the babies are likely dying of starvation.

The dead bats pose a public health risk if they come into contact with children or pets.

The director of the NT's Centre for Disease Control urged people to avoid the bats.

Wildlife carers are checking the pups for injuries or signs of disease.

Bats can carry viruses, including the Australian bat lyssavirus.

There have been only four human cases of ABLV disease in Australia.

NT Parks and Wildlife declined to comment.

Volunteers work around the clock

About 160 pups have been rescued, but only half will survive long-term.

Volunteer Ally Syzac is caring for the surviving bats at home.

Carers have taken in up to 45 flying foxes each.

The carers have to feed the pups up to five times a day.

The carers are working around the clock to care for the pups.

The pups are growing fast, and they need the right nutrition to be released.

The volunteers have been working around the clock to care for the bats.

Bats have economic and ecological value.

This is the biggest natural event for flying foxes in the Territory.

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