Galapagos bats need help so we are sending a New Zealand expert to help the National Park research and conserve them.

The Galapagos Islands are one of the world's greatest biological treasures. But those treasures aren't safe. Rats, cats, fire ants, mosquito-borne diseases and other problems are threatening many of the species that are only found there. The Galapagos National Park is battling to push back the invaders and help species recover, but has limited expertise in many areas. New Zealand experts have already helped with goat and rat eradications, bird recovery work, quarantine system design and other projects.

New Zealand is a world leader in island eradications, species recovery and park management. Our experts in these areas are keen to help the Galapagos. Friends of Galapagos NZ was set up to aid the Galapagos authorities in finding the right experts, help with covering the costs of New Zealand volunteers, and support the hosting of Galapagos managers who come to New Zealand for training and inspiration.

We have built a strong relationship with the Park, and have a lot of exciting projects on the books. But without more funds, we will have to abandon a number of those projects.

Right now we are sending Josh Guilbert a well known New Zealand bat expert, who has studied bats in NZ and elsewhere, to the Galapagos to work with the Park in developing a bat conservation plan. Josh will also train rangers and volunteers in how to catch and monitor bats. Josh in collaboration with the Park will be focusing on the endemic little red bat but will also catch and band the native hoary bat as they occur in the same area.

Like a lot of the wildlife, no-one knows how the bats are getting on, and specifically whether they are carrying diseases that would be a concern. The Park is keen to start work on bats, but has no expertise. Josh, from Auckland University, offered to go over as a volunteer to work with the Park, but needed help to cover his costs. The Park will provide local accommodation and transport. FOGNZ will pay for the airfare to get him there, and a box of bat bands to allow bats to be tracked and monitored. New Zealand experts have lent the other equipment that is needed to detect, catch and handle these elusive creatures. One of our supporters has lent us the funds to allow him to go this year, but we now need to raise the $5700 it will cost.

New Zealand has world-leading expertise in the management of biodiversity on islands, and our experts are willing to donate their time to saving Galapagos wildlife. But we need other New Zealanders to help us find the money for travel and equipment so our experts can get to the Galapagos and do their work. Every donation will help save a species. We are a registered charity, so any donation $5 and over is tax deductible.

Patrons that donate over $50 can nominate a name (in good taste) to be added to the bat naming list. As the number of bats caught may be limited we will put the names in order by the size of donation. If your name is given to a bat, you will get a digital photo of your bat and band number, along with updates whenever we get new data associated with it. To nominate a name, just send an email to info@galapagos.org.nz with a copy of your donation receipt.