Baby black bats abandoned in their hundreds in Rockhampton Botanical Gardens

Hundreds of baby black bats have been abandoned by their mothers at the Rockhampton Botanical Gardens in an event that has left bat carers worried and perplexed.

Over the past few days, more than 70 dehydrated and starving bats have been rescued after falling from the trees, at least another 100 are dead in the branches and more are expected to perish, according to carer Hannah van Alphen.

“We are only finding milk-dependent babies,” Ms van Alphen said.

“These babies are completely dependent on their mums, they cannot fly, but there’s not a single adult in sight.”

Rockhampton bat carers have been so overwhelmed and exhausted by the situation that reinforcements have been called in from Brisbane and Townsville, where Ms Alphen…