Biodiversity - Roosting Habitat of Long-Tailed BatShows known roosting habitats of threatened long-tailed bat populations in Canterbury.Bat Habitat ProtectionNative trees or large exotic trees (including willow) may be used by bats. Within some of the known bat habitat area, you may require a consent to remove such trees. Provisions within the current Timaru District Council plan to protect bats include the clearance of vegetation in long-tailed bat protection areas being listed as a restricted discretionary activity. Please refer to the Timaru District Plan to view the protection area (find in map viewer and look under 'Natural Environment Values'). Contact the Timaru District Council prior to tree removal in this area. Areas covered include: Hanging Rock, Kakahu Hill and the margins of the Opihi River, Kakahu River and Tengawai River.If you see any bats, please contact the local Department of Conservation office.All New Zealand bat species are protected by the Wildlife Act 1953. Bats in CanterburyLong-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) are one of three native mammal species in New Zealand and are the only bat species that can be found in Canterbury. Populations are known in South Canterbury, including within the township of Geraldine.Like many endemic species, long-tailed bats are long-lived animals that breed slowly, producing one pup a year. They are nocturnal insectivores, feeding on a variety of insects including pest species. They will forage over a variety of landscapes and return to roost in the hollows or cavities of large trees, meaning indigenous or exotic forest and trees such as willows and cabbage trees in riparian zones serve as vital habitat. These specific roosting tree requirements mean that bat habitat is threatened by vegetation clearance and tree felling.In order to address the largest threats to bat populations, current conservation efforts focus on preventing further habitat loss and allowing new habitat to regenerate, as well as predator control in known bat locations. There are numerous other activities that may be jeopardising existing bat populations, including land conversion, poor water quality, and disturbance by people. Research is being conducted to determine what actions will best support bat populations in Canterbury.For further information on bats see the Department of Conservation website here. GIS Layer HistoryThe extent of this bat habitat layer was initially derived from a technical report (U00/38) prepared for Environment Canterbury by the Department of Conservation in 2000. This may be found at the council’s online document library (search for ‘bat’): Distribution, status and conservation of long-tailed bat (Chalinologus tuberculatus) communities in Canterbury, New Zealand.Updates to the layer have occurred in August 2018 and February 2021 following advice from the Department of Conservation.
