Bats thrive in Tairāwhiti: How Aratu Forests is protecting them
21 November 2024
A Gisborne-based forestry company says it is committed to protecting colonies of critically threatened long-tailed bats discovered in Tairāwhiti forestry blocks.
The bats are the New Zealand native pekapeka-tou-roa, which are listed as “nationally critical” by the Department of Conservation – the highest threat ranking.
According to the DoC website, causes of the decline in the long-tail bat population include clearance and logging of lowland forests.