Tania Peitzker

To Canaries Gone By, Poetry from the Coalface **on Climate Change in Australia & Australian Animals** Tania Peitzker

In memory of the January 2019 wipeout of native flying foxes, 100s of 1000s of fruit bats, river and sea creatures as well as the disturbing slow and painful dehydration of wild horse herds of brumbies in Australia. Already endangered species are now suffering sudden mass death in the regular, extreme heatwaves and repeating bushfires, flooding and cyclonic storms. Inland, *millions* of fish suddenly died and were floating surreally through what is tragically left of the largely dried up river systems. This video captures the phenomenal tragedy, watch the footage here https: //youtu.be/9ftueVGsi6I The mass "death waves" of these Australian animals were reported internationally: https: //www.bbc.com/news/av/world-australia-46812117/australia-fish-deaths-thousands-found-floating-in-new-south-wales?ocid=wsnews.chat-apps.in-app-msg.whatsapp.trial.link1_.auinWhen at least 100 000 bats drop dead from trees in the unbearable heat of 44+ degrees, even the most sceptical of humans must realise there is a grave and unprecedented problem with climate change on our planet... NB. this online manuscript is being continually updated with additional, new poems and colour, sourced screenshots taken by the poet. The illustrated edition will be uploaded soon. If you have not received the updated version then please contact the author at her portfolio site www.taniapeitzker.expe