Mass death of horses discovered in Central Australian waterhole

An extreme heatwave in Australia has led to the deaths of more than 90 wild horses in the outback, authorities say.

The free-roaming horses of domesticated stock, which are known as Brumbies in Australia, were discovered by artist and activity engagement officer Ralph Turner at a waterhole 20 kilometres from Santa Teresa, Australia, known as "Deep Hole”.

About 40 of the animals had already died from dehydration and starvation. Surviving horses were later culled.

Australia has experienced a fortnight of extreme heat that has broken dozens of records across the nation.

On Thursday, the city of Adelaide experienced its hottest ever temperature - 46.2C (115F) - eclipsing a record set in 1939.

Rangers came across the horses after their absence was noted by a remote community, said local authority Central Land Council (CLC).

A local resident, Ralph Turner, also visited the site and posted photos online, describing the scene as "carnage".

The council said it had organized a cull of the remaining horses because they were found close to death.

They also planned to cull another 120 feral horses, donkeys and camels "dying from thirst" in a neighbouring community, said CLC director David Ross.

Temperatures in Alice Springs have exceeded 42C for almost two weeks - more than 6C above January's typical average, according to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology

The extreme weather follows a record-breaking heatwave that produced five of Australia's 10 warmest days on record.

Authorities issued health warnings urging people to stay indoors and minimize physical activity, with heightened concerns for the elderly, the chronically ill and children.

Several other wildlife species have also suffered, including reports of mass deaths of native bats in New South Wales.

Up to a million fish have also been found dead along river banks in the drought-affected state.

Earlier this month, officials confirmed that 2018 and 2017 had been Australia's third and fourth hottest years on record respectively.

The bureau's State of the Climate 2018 report said climate change had led to an increase in extreme heat events.