PORTLAND, Ore.– Reversing the previous “threatened” list, exempting northern long-eared bat habitat destruction from protection, the US Fish and Wildlife Service today issued an order offer listed bat as endangered. This change in legal status will give the species more protection under the Endangered Species Act as they struggle to survive in the face of devastating white-nosed syndrome and human development. people.
Northern long-eared bats, found in 37 states and eight Canadian provinces, have experienced a dramatic 99 percent population decline since 2006, when white-nosed syndrome first emerged in upstate New York. York.
Following a 2010 petition from the Center for Biological Diversity, the Service proposed to list these species as endangered in 2013. Under immense industry pressure, the Service reversed course. went and listed the species as threatened in 2015, with a “special rule” that exempts nearly any activity that destroys bat habitat and harms individual bats. Today’s decision follows a successful lawsuit by the Center, Wildlife Defenders, Sierra Club, Coal River Mountain Monitoring and the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition to overturn the threatened list that authorized that particular regulation.
Ryan Shannon, an attorney at the Centre, said: “Providing adequate protection for the northern long-eared bat is an important step in preventing these unique and useful creatures from becoming extinct. “This decision finally acknowledges the dire situation facing these bats. Without greater shelter under the Endangered Species Act, they would likely go extinct. “
White nose syndromecaused by a fungus native to Europe, which also affects 11 other North American bats. Biologists consider the fungus to be the most severe outbreak of wildlife disease in history. As bat populations dwindle, pest problems increase – with the potential to cause Billion agricultural damage value of dollars.
Northern long-eared bats are distinguished from their close relatives by their long ears. They live in mature inland forests and feed along wooded hills and slopes. As a result, they are easily fragmented by logging, oil and gas drilling and other development activities. Wind energy-related deaths from direct turbine collisions are also a significant stressor.
The service has so far refused to protect any important habitat for the northern long-eared bat.
