International Bat Appreciation 2026
17 April 2026 - 17 April 2026
Region(s): Nationwide
Type(s): promotion
On 17 April discover more about the benefits of pekapeka (bats) and celebrate the critical contributions they make for the world and its ecosystems on International Bat Appreciation Day!
Short-tailed bat
A New Zealand short-tailed bat pictured while eating dactylanthus.
Read more here and see what actions you could take: https://iucn.org/story/202504/benefits-bats-celebrating-critical-contributions-bats-international-bat-appreciation.
Related content
Discover more about the three species of endemic bats in Aotearoa in New Zealand’s native bats – pekapeka.
Read about the conservation efforts by scientists, researchers and citizen scientists as they work to ensure the ongoing survival of New Zealand’s only terrestrial mammal.
Meet Te Winiwini Kingi (Te Waiariki Ngāti Kororā) – a kaumātua and environmentalist working to restore the habitats of ruru and pekapeka.