A rare sighting of a native Australian bat in New Zealand has surprised experts and locals.
Gwen Gridley of Blenheim discovered the little red flying fox, a bat species not seen in New Zealand for almost a century, in her backyard. This bat, which Gridley named “Batula,” is only the second recorded instance of the species in the country. The first was in 1926 near Hamilton.
Biosecurity New Zealand believes the bat likely arrived on its own or possibly as a stowaway on a ship. The bat was found dead a few days later, and experts have confirmed its identity. The bat was significantly larger than New Zealand’s native bats, weighing 250 grams compared to the 10-15 grams typical of local species.
The bat’s remains have been sent to Massey University for further study. Although it’s unclear how the bat traveled over 2,000 kilometers from Australia, it may have been carried by strong winds or hidden on a cargo ship. Despite the sad outcome, Gridley felt fortunate to have witnessed such a rare event and hopes Batula will find a permanent home at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa.“
