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

<p><strong>Exclusive:</strong> Scientists say about 5,000 fewer southern bent-wing bats have been recorded at a key maternity site for the species</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>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.</p><p>These tiny russet-toned microbats roost in caves and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/23/tiny-australian-southern-bent-wing-bat-flies-up-to-150km-a-night">forage for insects over long distances</a> across south-west Victoria and south-east South Australia.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jul/30/southern-bent-wing-bat-population-decline">Continue reading...</a>