Forest and Bird say Hamilton's long-tailed bats are on the 'brink of extinction', and drastic action is needed before they disappear altogether.
Industrial developments in the city are wiping out the bat population, and Forest and Bird central North Island regional manager Dr Rebecca Stirnemann says Waikato Regional Council and Hamilton City Council need to make a plan.
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The bats have called Hamilton their home for more than 15 years. Over this period of time, there have been no moves made to protect the species' habitats or their flying routes.
"Long-tailed bats are critically affected by development that squeezes them out - they are on the brink of extinction in Hamilton," Stirnemann said in a statement.
"We can see they are no longer using half the city, because new development has cut off their access routes."
The bats need natural spaces with mature trees to roost and nest in, where the insects that they eat can flourish. Bats suffer in areas with artificial light and too much noise, because of the way they navigate and find prey.
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Cats, possums, stoats and rats prey on the 10-gram creature, reducing their numbers faster than they can breed.
"The unique characteristics of bats make them harder to protect. This make it more important that every agency and council is doing their bit to look after them," Stirnemann said.
Forest and Bird are currently conducting research on the best ways to save the species, despite the increasing development around their habitats.
Stirnemann says Hamilton residents can do their bit to help save the bats, who face a threat rate that currently sits at 'nationally critical'.
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"Residents can help bats survive by keeping native forest and mature trees on their properties, carrying out pest control, reducing pesticide use and reducing light pollution from lighting outside their homes," she said.
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