Native bats at zoo

From City Scene, published on 4 November, 2007

Auckland Zoo's newest residents are rare short-tailed bats that will become part of a breeding recovery programme. The zoo is hopeful the six female and six male bats will successfully breed and boost numbers of the Tararua Forest's genetically distinct Waiohine Valley population, of which only 200 remain. "Housing native bats is a first for the zoo," says zookeeper Andrew Nelson. "We're absolutely over the moon at being given this opportunity to contribute to the conservation of this amazing land mammal, and increase awareness of its plight." While the bats will be held off display for now, the zoo plans to include them in the night forest area of its New Zealand-focused development, Te Wao Nui, scheduled to open to visitors in early 2010.