World Jul 29, 2026 · 1 min read

The population of an endangered Australian bat suddenly dropped by up to 16%. No one knows why

Exclusive: Scientists say about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats have been recorded at a key maternity site for the speciesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastA sudden decline in critically endangered bats is troubling experts, who recorded about 5,000 fewer southern bent-w...

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The Guardian
by Petra Stock
The population of an endangered Australian bat suddenly dropped by up to 16%. No one knows why

Exclusive: Scientists say about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats have been recorded at a key maternity site for the species

A sudden decline in critically endangered bats is troubling experts, who recorded about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats than usual at Naracoorte’s “bat cave” this summer.

These tiny russet-toned microbats roost in caves and forage for insects over long distances across south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia.

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This article was originally published by The Guardian and written by Petra Stock.

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