New colony of Endangered Long-tailed bats found in New Zealand

Forest & Bird delighted over new bat colony discovery

February 2013. A large colony of endangered South Island long-tailed bats has been discovered during a January survey on D'Urville Island, in the Marlborough Sounds. The D'Urville population is estimated to number in the hundreds, according to NZ conservation organisation, Forest & Bird.

Only 10 colonies known on South Island
The colony was discovered by a Forest & Bird survey team during the fifth and final year of surveys, initiated by Forest & Bird Top of the South Field Officer Debs Martin, alongside bat scientist Dr Brian Lloyd. Only 10 colonies of long-tailed bats are known to remain on the South Island mainland, with total numbers less than 5000 - and declining.

"This find is fantastic news," says Ms Martin. "It means that D'Urville Island is even more important to New Zealand's natural heritage than we thought. D'Urville Island is the fifth largest island in New Zealand. One third of it is public conservation land. It is free of possums and ship rats, which increases the long-tailed bat's chances of survival. Except for a small colony on Stewart Island, the D'Urville group is the only one known to be living on an offshore island. This find dramatically increases the chances of saving the species from extinction," says Ms Martin. "It was predicted that the South Island long-tailed bat would become extinct within 50 years. But this find may well alter that.

Continued:  http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/long-tailed-bats.html