Acoustic monitoring reveals widespread distribution of pekapeka across an isolated forest ecosanctuary, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

Understanding population dynamics of endangered species in pest-free ecosanctuaries is essential to informing conservation planning, especially where populations are isolated in remnant forest within a matrix of unsuitable habitat. Little is known about whether fenced sanctuaries in Aotearoa | New Zealand are facilitating meaningful conservation of pekapeka (native bats). We conducted a bat survey at Sanctuary Mountain | Maungatautari, Waikato, using acoustic monitoring at 20 sites to evaluate the presence and distribution of two species of endemic bats, the critically endangered long-tailed bat (Chalinolobus tuberculatus) and the lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata). We found no evidence of lesser short-tailed bats occurring within the sanctuary. We recorded 14 113 long-tailed bat passes across the 20 sites over 20 nights of good weather, suggesting widespread use of the area by foraging bats. Heat maps of passes revealed multiple hotspots of activity simultaneously, possibly indicating roosting locations, key foraging sites, or sites of social interaction. Increasing connectivity between the ecosanctuary and nearby forest via restoration planting and predator control may facilitate greater protection and genetic diversity of long-tailed bats.