Extreme heat in Queensland, Australia has claimed the lives of thousands of bats.

Extreme heat in Queensland, Australia has claimed the lives of thousands of bats.

Said a resident who lives in an area with a once active and robust bat population, “I don’t necessarily like the bats, but I don’t like seeing them dead.”

Other than being a morbid sight, many areas around the state filled with the deceased creatures are causing serious health concerns for community members.

When one property owner reported that his 1 and a half hectare plot of land was covered with dead bats, he was told not to touch them under any circumstances as they were likely disease-ridden.

Wheeled bins were soon after dropped at the site with word that people would be back later in the day to pick them – and the bats - up.

However, nobody came and the bats have since started to decay, escalating the risk they present to the many who pass through the plot.

Thus far, throughout southern Queensland the total bat death count is estimated at 10 thousand.

The number of people requiring anti-viral treatment for bat-related injuries is around 20.