October 29, 2025
Data Shows Endangered Palau Ground Doves Swiftly Recovering After Successful Palauan Island Conservation Effort
Astounding evidence of recovery on Ulong Island in Palau after just one year!
Extinct Native Hawaiian Bat Identified
The second-known land mammal to be a native of Hawaii has been identified. Sadly, it’s extinct.
In 1981, the remains of an unknown species were found in a lava tube on Maui. Researchers struggled for decades to identify the species. This year, they finally arrived at their answer. The remains belong to a unique subcategory of the Evening or Vesper Bat family. It’s called Synemporion keana.
Skeletal remains of a Vesper Bat
This species is one of three mammals and only the second-known land mammal ever known to be native to Hawaii. The bat is already extinct, presumably due to introduction of invasive species to the Hawaiian Islands.
Its disappearance may have been linked to invasive species that arrived along with the first human settlers. Many native forests and insects on the island also suffered setbacks as people arrived on the Pacific Island chain.
The bat appeared 320,000 years ago and suddenly disappeared within the last 1,100 years following the arrival of humans. The presence of invasive species such as rodents, pigs, feral cats, frogs, and ants is highly destructive to Hawaii’s ecosystem.
Feature photo: Vesper Bat. By Matt Reinbold
Read the original article at Tech Times.
Want to learn more?
Check out other journal entries we think you might be interested in.
May 19, 2025
UNOC 3 Position Paper
Read our position paper on The 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) to see why we're attending and what we aim to accomplish!
December 4, 2024
The Ebiil Society: Champions of Palau
Ann Singeo, founder of our partner organization the Ebiil Society, shares her vision for a thriving Palau and a flourishing world of indigenous science!
November 22, 2024
Permanent Commission for the South Pacific and Island Conservation Sign MOU to Protect Marine and Coastal Areas in the Southeast Pacific (CPPS)
This historic agreement aims to protect the marine and coastal areas of the Southeast Pacific.
November 18, 2024
Nukufetau Atoll Bolsters Pacific Conservation and Enhances Community Resilience by Removing Invasive Rats
Our projects to restore key islets in Nukufetau Atoll forecast climate resilience and community benefits in Tuvalu!
October 3, 2024
New Paper Shows Invasive Species Removal is a Nature-Based Solution for Climate Resilience
Island Conservation and partners have published a new paper quantifying ecosystem resilience on restored islands!
September 10, 2024
What is Climate Week?
Climate Week NYC: what is it and why is it important? Read on to find out why Island Conservation is attending this amazing event!
September 5, 2024
The Dynamic Coastlines that Change Island Futures
With sea levels on the rise, how are the coastlines of islands transforming? Read on to find out how dynamic islands really are!
December 14, 2023
Our Favorite Conservation Photos of 2023
Join us in celebrating the most amazing sights from around the world by checking out these fantastic conservation photos!
November 28, 2023
Rare Joins the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge
Rare will support the effort to restore island-ocean ecosystems by engaging the Coastal 500 network of local leaders in safeguarding biodiversity (Arlington, VA, USA) Today, international conservation organization Rare announced it has joined the Island-Ocean Connection Challenge (IOCC), a global effort to…