Bird of the Year: Bats join the competition

The long-tailed bat, pekapeka-tou-roa, has swooped in on the competition that allows Kiwis to vote for their favourite bird, the first time a New Zealand native land mammal has ever been included, RNZ reports. Auckland Council senior conservation advisor Ben Paris told Morning Report the small, long tailed bat is cute and furry but under threat. Bat populations are found in cities like Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua, and Paris said the competition is a great opportunity to learn more about them. “Our bats need a lot more special attention, because not many people know that we have two New Zealand native species.”