Sporadic power outages across eastern suburbs caused by bats flying into power lines

A large colony of bats are responsible for multiple power outages across the eastern suburbs.

A large colony of bats living in the Botanic Gardens have been causing a number of blackouts across the eastern suburbs.

Similar to a string of power outages caused in 2019 by bats flying into power lines and lightning arcing rods, the mammals have randomly been cutting the power to the eastern suburbs since the start of the year.

Over the weekend, more than 2100 SA Power Networks customers across Payneham and Rostrevor temporarily lost power to their homes thanks to the bats.

SA Power Networks spokesman Paul Roberts said the “random” outages are difficult to trace, but are only momentary.

“There has been more movement in the past week from the colony,” Mr Roberts said.

“The problem is bat movement around the city is very random as they are foraging for food.”

A colony of bats lives in the Botanic Gardens, and has been causing power outages as the animals fly into power lines. Picture: Sue Westover

As bats fly into the power lines or lightning towers, many die, or are seriously injured.

Crews have begun putting up temporary animal guards to stop the bats from being killed when they fly into the lines.

In 2019, around 20,000 bats were living in the Botanic Gardens, but Mr Roberts said many died over summer.

Mr Roberts said SA Power Networks is working with Adelaide University and The Department of Primary Industries and Regions to try to prevent the deaths of bats, and have already begun to roll out new lighting tower infrastructure where bats won’t be as likely to get their wings caught.