Bat Sneaks Into New Zealand Bird of the Year Competition, Our Hearts

It’s not the first time the contest has flirted with controversy. Last year, Forest and Bird reported that 1,500 fraudulent votes were cast for one bird: the little-spotted kiwi (kiwi pukupuku). In this case, though, the bat’s entry was permitted by Forest and Bird. A spokesperson told the Guardian that the animal was allowed in as it is critically endangered and needs more attention.

Perhaps surprisingly, bats are the only mammals native to New Zealand that aren’t semi- or totally aquatic. “Since ‘mammal of the year’ was going to be a very boring competition we kind of decided to throw the bat among the pigeons and ruffle some feathers,” Keown told HuffPost.

It may seem unfair for the organization supervising an election to imply a certain amount of support for one candidate, especially a candidate who doesn’t seem to meet the qualification criteria. But perhaps procedural objections fall flat in the face of a moral obligation to raise awareness around a critically endangered species. If you’d like to weigh in, voting is open through October 31.

More: The Surprising Way New Zealand Could Soon Solve Its Predator Problem