Flying foxes found dead and emaciated across eastern Australia as dry weather bites

Vets say conditions have led to a 'starvation event', killing creatures or leaving them 'looking like they've been mummified'

Flying foxes, including threatened species, have been dying or taken into care in large numbers due to a food shortage in their habitat in eastern Australia.

Authorities in Queensland and New South Wales say there have been increased reports since September of sick and dead flying-foxes in an area stretching from northern NSW up to Gladstone in Queensland.