Rehousing rare bats has its problems

Twenty rare short-tailed bats will be moved from the Tararua Ranges to predator-free Kapiti Island in an attempt to complete the world's first successful bat translocation.

Previous attempts to relocate bats have failed because they have a powerful homing instinct and simply fly back to where they came from.

But Department of Conservation staff aim to beat the homing instinct by shifting juveniles before they develop it.

DoC bat scientist Brian Lloyd said it would be a major breakthrough - and a world first - if the trial worked.

The bat pups, born in the Christmas-New Year week, were raised at Pukaha Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre near Eketahuna and are now learning to fly.

They weigh up to 14g and fit into the palm of a hand.

They are from a genetically distinct subspecies of short-tailed bats discovered in the Waiohine Valley in the Tararua Ranges.

The population of about 200 was believed to be in decline, and was the only known colony of the subspecies south of Wanganui.

The 20 pups will be transported by road to Paraparaumu Beach and by boat to Kapiti Island, where they will be inspected and weighed.

After a few weeks in captivity on Kapiti, during which DoC hopes they will develop a homing instinct for their roosting boxes, they will be released.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter said it was a risky trial, but worth while.

"A willingness to push boundaries and try new things is exactly what conservation in New Zealand needs."

Dr Lloyd has been researching short-tailed bats for 10 years.

- NZPA