Heatwave: Close to 100 wild horses in central Australia have died with a 12-day heatwave exacerbating already grave conditions

Close to 100 wild brumbies have been found dead and dying in central Australia around a dried-out water-hole two hours from Alice Springs.

Central Land Council rangers discovered 40 of the animals dead at Apwerte Uyerreme - a remote watering hole, last Thursday.

They also discovered around 50 others that were close to death.

The region has been sweltering through a record 12-day heatwave with temperatures over 42C.

Council director David Ross said the water hole servicing the wild brumbies had dried out because of the high temperatures.

“On Friday, we organised an emergency aerial cull of 55 horses,” he told 9News.com.au.

“While dehydration was definitely a cause [of the brumbies’ deaths], it’s also hunger. Over-population by feral animals causes erosion and a loss of vegetation and feed,” he added.

A reprieve is not expected for the area until next week when rain is predicted.

“It’s just terrible to know these beautiful animals died in this way,” it says on a post on the Alice Springs community forum.

There is also concern among locals on the forum about the prospect of rotting carcasses polluting Deep Hole and surrounding water sources in the future.