Pacific Island Network — Featured Resource Hawaiian Hoary Bat — 'Ope'ape'a

Description: The Hawaiian hoary bat (La- in order to complete a monitoring protocol accurate knowledge of distribution, relative siurus cinereus semotus) is the only terrestrial in 2007. Monitoring objectives will focus on abundance, and habitat needs will be required. mammal native to Hawaii . Ancient Hawaiians assessing presence and distribution of bats in called this solitary and elusive bat 'Ope'ape'a, the Hawaiian National Parks, relative levels of Management: Due to limited and conflict- as its wings reminded them of the half-leaf bat activity and occurrence, and general habitat ing information regarding Hawaiian hoary bats, remaining on a taro stalk after the top half has associations. critical habitat for this subspecies has not yet been removed for cooking. Although pres- been designated. As a result, even the most ba- ent in Hawaii for many centuries, the earliest Data: The 'Ope'ape'a has been documented sic management strategies are difficult to imple- recorded sighting was December 8, 1816, when in NPSpecies for most of Hawaii’s National ment. Threats to this species remain unclear, one was shot near Pearl Harbor, O'ahu. It is Parks. A Hawaiian hoary bat recovery plan but habitat loss, pesticide use, predation, and believed the Hawaiian hoary bat is a relative of was developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife roost disturbance are primary concerns. Fu- the North American hoary bat, which originally Service, which seeks to downlist this species ture research is needed to identify and protect migrated at least 2000 miles from the mainland. after selected populations have remained stable critical roosting and foraging habitat, control or increasing for 5 consecutive years. The State predators, and assess other threats. This Hawaiian subspecies is distinctly small Department of Land and Natural Resources at 12-20g. They are typically a mixture of dark maintains a Hawaiian Hoary Bat Research For Questions or Comments Contact: browns and grays, tinged with silvery-white, Cooperative in partnership with the US Geo- Heather Fraser at: (808) 985-6188 which produces a grizzled or “hoary” effect. logical Survey, non-profit organizations, and This bat may also exhibit reddish hues. Similar private landowners. Where to see bats: to other Lasiurine species, the Hawaiian hoary During summer months, visitors to the Big Island bat is covered in thick fur over its entire body Status & Trends: The Hawaiian hoary bat can observe hoary bats foraging over the ocean and dorsal surface of the tail membrane. was listed as an endangered species in 1970 and at sunset at Pu'uhonua o Hönaunau NHP. In is presently protected by both federal and state Hawai'i Volcanoes NP, bats can be seen at The hoary bat has been observed in essentially laws. Population estimates have ranged from Waldron Ledge overlook and along Mauna Loa every habitat type in the Hawaiian Islands, several hundred to a few thousand individuals, Strip Road. Hotspots in Maui’s Haleakalä NP include Hosmer’s Grove and 'Ohe'o Gulch, while making it difficult to associate them with par- but these numbers are based on anecdotal and those trekking to the top of Kalaupapa NHP’s ticular habitats. It is presumed to be a solitary incomplete data. To date, research addressing Pali Trail may get a glimpse of them. If acoustic foliage rooster, but some bats have been ob- real population numbers has not been con- bat detectors are available, tune the device to served using man-made structures, lava tubes, ducted. Before this subspecies can be consid- ~30kHz to eavesdrop on the bats' "echolocation and rock cracks and crevices. Hawaiian hoary ered for downlisting to threatened status, more conversations"...... bats use echolocation to locate insect prey. They will consume both native and non-native insects, including beetles and moths.

Inventories: Hawaiian hoary bats were historically found on all main islands, but today The Hawaiian Hoary Bat has the largest populations are believed to occur on been described the islands of Hawai'i and Kaua'i. Currently, by some as the teddy researchers are using MiniBat-III acoustic bear of North detectors to determine presence of bats in American bats. Hawaiian National Parks. This includes Hale- This one is chomping on a akalä NP, Maui, and Kalaupapa NP, Moloka'i, mealworm. as well as the Big Island’s Hawai'i Volcanoes NP, Pu'uhonua o Hönaunau NHP, Kaloko-Ho- noköhau NHP, and Pu'ukohola Heiau NHS.

Monitoring: Development of a monitor- ing protocol for this subspecies is currently in progress. Monitoring techniques will be researched and tested during the next year, Photograph courtesy of the Honolulu Zoo, with permission.

Pacific Island Network 2005 Featured Resource http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/pacn/