Mystery disease strikes endangered bats
by Thea Knight
Endangered bats native to New Zealand have been diagnosed with a mystery disease leaving them unable to fend for themselves.
In order to survive the twelve infected small-tailed bats have been moved from their home in the wild to Auckland Zoo so they can receive the special care they need.
The creatures are part of a breeding program set up to increase the species dwindling population. There are only 200 of this genetically unique group which was only recently discovered.
The condition disabled the bats sonar system leaving them unable to hunt prey. Conservationists have not come across the disease before and have labeled it a mystery.
Auckland Zoo has welcomed the new arrival.
The New Zealand fauna team leader, Andrew Nelson says, “Housing native bats is a first for the zoo, and we’re absolutely over the moon at being given this opportunity to contribute to the conservation of this amazing land mammal and to help increase awareness of its plight,”
The conservation of these creatures has been the biggest bat protection project the world has ever seen. Starting back in 2005 The Department of Conservation took pregnant females from the wild to the National Wildlife Centre at Pukaha Mount Bruce. Once new pups were weaned off their mothers, they were taken to live in the wild on Kapiti Island.
Zoo staff say it won’t be long before the bats get used to their new environment and the breeding program can get back on track.
Unfortunately eager visitors will have to wait to see the furry creatures. They won’t be put into an enclosure until 2010.
Public access will be a great chance to educate people. Rosemary Vander Lee from DOC says it will give people a chance to “learn more about the life history of this species and the things that are causing it to decline”.
DOC hope to return to a wildlife plan in the future but in the mean time zoo staff have the opportunity to learn more about the species so further disease may be avoided.