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Story: Extinctions

Greater short-tailed bat

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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 Stewart Island), in July 1965. Concerned about rats attacking the native birds, staff from the Wildlife Service transferred rare bird species to two rat-free islands nearby. Sadly, no attempt was made to transfer the greater short-tailed bat, which became extinct soon afterwards.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10045551

by Don Merton

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How to cite this page

Richard Holdaway, Extinctions – Smaller birds, reptiles, frogs, fish, plants, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/13670/greater-short-tailed-bat (accessed 11 June 2026).

Story by Richard Holdaway, published 2 March 2009.