A recent survey of the long-tailed bat population in Franklin, south of Auckland, showed there were many more than we previously suspected.
Join producer Liz Garton as she heads out on a bat hunt, with the batman Ben Paris and some keen locals.
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Batman Ben Paris with a bat detecting device. Photo: Liz Garton / RNZ.
More than half the survey sites in Franklin detected the presence of bats, but these mysterious mammals are not easy to find or spot.
Pekapeka-tou-roa, or the native long-tailed bat, are a threatened species and they seem to be a tasty treat for all Aotearoa’s introduced pests.
In Patumahoe, a concerted effort to reduce pest numbers using an award-winning trap has not only improved native bird numbers in the area, but also seems to have had a positive impact on bat numbers.
To learn more:
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Listen to the full episode on Our Changing World.
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Find out more about Tāmaki Makaurau’s bat population at Auckland Council.
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Read about Andrew’s smart trap at Predator Free Franklin.
