Short-tailed bat cluster, close up of head
The endangered lesser short-tailed bat is an ancient species unique to New Zealand and is found only in a few locations.
Did you know the lesser short-tailed bat is the only member of its family, Mystacinidae, known to still survive? Learn more about New Zealand's short-tailed bats in this section.
Learn about threats to New Zealand's few remaining short-tailed bat populations.
DOC's bat recovery plan has a goal of conserving all bat sub-species throughout their present range and establishing new populations where possible.
Protect native forest in your area, which will help bats and other native species. Learn other ways you can be involved in bat conservation efforts in this section.
New Zealand is known as a ‘land of birds’, but we do have one type of mammal, the ancient and tiny native bats. This video takes you into the batcave to meet these elusive and mysterious animals.
Operation Ark is a variation on the mainland island concept, using intensive pest control at specific sites in order to protect vulnerable populations of endangered species.
Pekapeka / bats factsheet (PDF, 225K)
Animals of the Chatham Islands
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Phone 0800 DOCHOTline (0800 362 468) to report:
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