Wildlife

Extreme Heat Events and Animal Welfare

Climate-driven heat waves cause mass mortality in wildlife and livestock; adaptation and emergency response protect animal welfare.

Key Facts

Australian heat waves in 2020 killed over 2,000 flying foxes in a single event
European heat waves have caused significant dairy cattle mortality
Marine heat waves cause mass coral bleaching affecting thousands of marine species
Emergency water provisioning during heat events can save significant wildlife welfare harm

Welfare Considerations

Extreme heat events cause acute suffering and mass mortality in animals unable to thermoregulate or access water. Flying foxes, bats, and raptors fall from trees during heat emergencies. Marine heat waves stress fish, invertebrates, and marine mammals through temperature-driven metabolic stress. Climate adaptation for animal welfare requires both long-term habitat management and emergency response capacity.

What You Can Do

Support wildlife emergency response organizations with heat event capacity
Set out water for wildlife in your garden during extreme heat
Advocate for urban tree canopy as wildlife thermal refuge
Engage with climate action as a fundamental animal welfare intervention