Resources for bat workers
Introduction
Information and advice for people working with bats, what to do if you come across a sick or injured bat, and how to report a bat sighting.AR4 bat recorders
The DOC electronics team developed the AR4 bat recorder, now widely used in New Zealand to survey for bats.
Information and resources for the AR4 bat recorders are available on the DOC electronics web page.
An app for testing recorders is available from Google Play Store. Look for “DOC – Bat Recorder Tester” from Tussock Innovation Ltd.
National bat database
DOC administers a national database of bat records so we can learn more about bat distribution and how that changes over time.
You can assist us by reporting sightings of bats. Record the location (including a gps reference), number, time and date you sighted or recorded them.
Preferably use the Bat records sample spreadsheet (XLSX, 45K).
Submit your sightings to batdatabase@doc.govt.nz .
Sick or injured bats
For advice on the care of sick or injured bats refer to:
- Initial veterinary care for New Zealand bats manual (PDF, 2,030K)
- Bat care advice for first responders (PDF, 146K).
Bat recovery group documents
The New Zealand Bat Recovery Group has developed the following best practice guidance and advice notes for bat workers.
- Best practice manual of conservation techniques for bats (PDF, 5,500K)
- Protocols for minimising the risk of felling occupied bat roosts (PDF, 545K)
- Bat handling competency framework.(PDF, 249K)
- Bat competency trainee logbook (XLXS, 21K)
- Bats and windfarms information sheet (PDF, 379K)
- Guidance for projects involving bat handling, to prevent human-bat transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (PDF, 384K)
- Artificial bat roosts advice note (PDF, 288K)
- Planting to provide roosts for bats in the long-term advice note (PDF, 218K)