Urban development threat to critically endangered batSUPPLIED/FOREST AND BIRD The Long-tailed bat is now more endangered than the kiwi, kōkako and whio. The city's critically endangered bat population could disappear altogether if a new development goes ahead unplanned. The Department of Conservation recently elevated the threat status of the North Island long tailed bat from vulnerable to critically endangered. Numbers in Hamilton are difficult to determine said Kessels Ecology senior ecologist Wiea​ van der Zwan who works with Project Echo. Van der Zwan briefed Hamilton City Council on managing the bat population with the threat of urban expansion approaching on Thursday.

Source: Stuff March 25, 2018 01:52 UTC