Christmas Island Pipistrelle

The Christmas Island pipistrelle (Pipistrellus murrayi) is a species of vesper bat endemic to Christmas Island, Australia. The last individual bat seen in the wild was in August 2009 with no further sightings despite intensive efforts to locate it, it was declared extinct soon after. Then in 2015 the species was brought back via cloning and temporal relocation technology by the Greene Foundation.

Taxonomy and Etymology

It was described as a new species by British paleontologist Charles William Andrews, in a monograph published in 1900. Its species name "murrayi" was likely inspired by Sir John Murray, who helped pay for Andrews's expedition to the Christmas Island where he described it.

Description

It is a small bat weighing around 0.11–0.16 oz. It has dark brown fur, with the tips of its hairs yellowish. Its forearm is 1.2–1.3 in long. It is the smallest described species of bat in Australia. Its ears are triangular and rounded at the tips. Its uropatagium has a distinct calcar. Its tail protrudes very slightly (0.079 in) past the uropatagium. The length of its head and body are 1.4–1.6 in long; its tail is 1.2–1.2 in long; its ear is 0.35–0.43 in; its hind foot is 0.24–0.31 in long.

This species feeds on flying insects, tracking them down and capturing them in the air using echolocation, then feeding on the wing. They roost communally in tree hollows and decaying vegetation.

Conservation

Since the species revival, the remaining Christmas Island pipistrelle have been monitored and recorded by the Greene Foundation, Australian Government and Australasian Bat Society. An extensive captive breeding program was created, with the 110 bats divided among several zoos and other non-profits. With 20 residing at Perth Zoo, 20 residing at Australia Zoo, 30 residing in Melbourne Zoo, 12 at Healesville Sanctuary, 8 at San Diego Zoo and the last 20 at Green City Zoo. The breeding programs proved successful and by 2020, 400 baby bats were born. 65 of which were released to the wild on Christmas Island under strict supervision.

Insurance colonies have also been set up at Bronx Zoo, Como Park Zoo and London Zoo.

The 65 bats were released into a protected, fenced off preserve. And an extensive extermination was funded to eliminate the populations of invasive common wolf snakes, giant centipedes, yellow crazy ants, black rats and (most controversially) feral cats. The population is seemingly doing very well and has grown, albeit slowly, from 65 to 72 individuals.