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Story: Bats

A greater short-tailed bat

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A greater short-tailed bat

This is the only known photograph of the greater short-tailed bat, taken at Puwai Bay, Big South Cape Island, off the coast of Stewart Island in July 1965. In that year Wildlife Service staff transferred rare bird species from the island to two rat-free islands nearby. No attempt was made to transfer the greater short-tailed bat, which became extinct soon after.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10045551

by Don Merton

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How to cite this page

Veronika Meduna, Bats – Bats in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/9746/a-greater-short-tailed-bat (accessed 5 June 2026).

Story by Veronika Meduna, published 1 March 2009.