Flying foxes in NSW and Victoria face mass starvation amid food shortages

Key points

• Flying foxes are starving across New South Wales and Victoria, with rescuers reporting a surge in emaciated adults and skeletal pups. Grey-headed flying foxes, listed as vulnerable, face food shortages from the northern rivers to the south coast.
• Rescue organisations report increased callouts, with bats displaying unusual behaviour and many already dead.
• Experts attribute the crisis to habitat loss, dry winter conditions, and poor seasonal flowering.