Wildlife Victoria has reported a spike in brutality towards the bats, which are relying on fruit trees for food after catastrophic bushfires over summer devastated their habitat.

It comes after more than 2,000 flying foxes died from heat stress last month in eastern Victoria, destroying a suspected third of the local flying fox population.

Across the country, it has been estimated that about 100,000 bats perished during the bushfire season as a result of heat, fires and drought.

According to the Australian Government Department of Environment, the creatures are listed as vulnerable.