Heatwave: Bats drop dead in Kanpur due to extreme heat
PTC Web Desk: Several bats were found dead in Kanpur's Nana Rao Park as a result of the region's intense heatwave. The carcasses were found in the park, where hundreds of bats live.
Locals reported seeing bats fall from the trees, writhing in pain on the ground before succumbing to the heat.
With temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius, locals reported that bats were dying in large numbers in the park, and the accumulation of carcasses created a foul smell throughout the park.
Bats play an important role in habitats around the world, including India. Some tropical plants rely on specific bat species to pollinate their flowers or spread their seeds, whereas many bats help control insects by feeding on them, saving farmers thousands of rupees in pesticide costs.
According to Dr Anurag Singh, a veterinary officer at Kanpur Zoo, bats are especially sensitive to heat, feeling temperatures two degrees Celsius higher than humans.
"When the temperature in Kanpur reaches 44 to 45 degrees Celsius, bats feel it at 47 to 48 degrees. Their suffering is exacerbated by a lack of accessible water sources, which leads to heat strokes," Dr Singh explained.
He stated that in order to prevent bats from dying, areas under trees should be kept moist and filled with water to provide these animals with relief from the relentless heat.
- With inputs from agencies
