Lord Howe Island Board, The Lord Howe Island Signal
17 April was International Bat Appreciation Day and this is an opportunity to reflect on the microbats that share the Island.
Microbats are the only native land mammals on Lord Howe Island. Two species have been confirmed in recent decades: the Large Forest Bat (Vespadelus darlingtoni), regularly seen at dusk around the settlement, and Gould’s Wattled Bat (Chalinolobus gouldii), first recorded here in 2010.
A third species, the Lord Howe Long-eared Bat (Nyctophilus howensis), is listed as extinct.
Some residents have reported seeing more microbat activity around the settlement recently. The Board welcomes these observations. However, the most recent comprehensive microbat survey on the Island was completed in 2011, so current population estimates are not available.
The Board is reviewing options for updated survey work to better understand the status of microbats on the Island.
If you observe microbat activity and would like to share what you have seen, please contact the Lord Howe Island Board Team Leader, World Heritage, Malcolm Lindsay: Malcolm.lindsay@lhib.nsw.gov.au
This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 30 April 2026.
