Long-Tailed Bat Conservation

Mohi Bush is an important forest reserve that hosts a range of native species including an isolated population of rifleman/tītipounamu, as well as bats, green geckos and rare native plants.

In 2015, toutouwai (North Island robins) were translocated from Poutiri Ao ō Tāne (Boundary Stream Mainland Island) onto the Maraetōtara plateau in the Cape to City project area. Unbanded toutouwai have been seen several times across the plateau indicating their translocation was successful and they have successfully bred.

After the Cape to City project met its milestones in 2021, the team were keen to continue to protect both toutouwai, and the other native species by continuing to control rats. Rats negatively impact our native species by directly predating on eggs and chicks, as well as eating invertebrates and berries that are important food sources for our native species.   

The team collaborated with EIT to develop a project for the Environmental Monitoring students to devise a field based project where students would monitor pest species in the bush both before and after setting baits and traps. The trial project in 2023 was a huge success, and will continue with support from Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay.