Swooping out of sight: Bats in need of greater protection

Swooping out of sight: Bats in need of greater protection

Nocturnal, furry and known for their spooky reputation around Halloween, bats are not only the mysterious mammals that haunt the dark; they are also an important part of nature and in need of greater protection. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm), 20% of bats are threatened.

Around the world, bats can be found making their home in almost every environment available. Bats will inhabit caves, tree hollows, foliage, and even man-made structures, as they require only two things: a place for foraging and a roost where they can sleep. The main threats to bats are the loss of their roosting and foraging habitats.

Bats are the second largest order of mammals-numbering about 1,250 species-and carry out the important ecological services of pollination, seed dispersal and reduction of pest insects. For example, in Texas, Mexican free tailed bats (Tadarida brasiliensis) eat the pests that plague cotton and tobacco crops, reducing the insect population and the number of pesticide applications needed.

Key Issues:

• "Bats are disappearing at an alarming rate, due largely in part to ignorance and a misunderstanding of the benefits they provide," says Paul A. Racey, Co-Chair IUCN SSC Bat Specialist Group. "We need to build capacity for bat conservation and we must educate young people about the value of these animals."

• "Bats are among the most underappreciated groups of mammals in the world and major steps are needed to safeguard them," says Simon Stuart, Chair of IUCN's Species Survival Commission. "Protection for bat roosting and foraging habitats, as well as effective response to specific threats, such as wind farms, is imperative."

About IUCN
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. IUCN works on biodiversity, climate change, energy, human livelihoods and greening the world economy by supporting scientific research, managing field projects all over the world, and bringing governments, NGOs, the UN and companies together to develop policy, laws and best practice. www.iucn.org

About the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm)
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(tm) (or the IUCN Red List) is the world's most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of plant, fungi and animal species. It is based on an objective system for assessing the risk of extinction of a species should no conservation action be taken.

Species are assigned to one of eight categories of threat based on whether they meet criteria linked to population trend, population size and structure and geographic range. Species listed as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable are collectively described as 'Threatened'.

The IUCN Red List is not just a register of names and associated threat categories. It is a rich compendium of information on the threats to the species, their ecological requirements, where they live, and information on conservation actions that can be used to reduce or prevent extinctions.

The IUCN Red List is a joint effort between IUCN and its Species Survival Commission, working with the Red List partners BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; Wildscreen; and Zoological Society of London.

About the Species Survival Commission (SSC)
The SSC is the largest of IUCN's six volunteer commissions with a global membership of around 7,500 experts. The SSC advises IUCN and its members on the wide range of technical and scientific aspects of species conservation, and is dedicated to securing a future for biodiversity. The SSC has significant input into the international agreements dealing with biodiversity conservation. The SSC consists of more than 110 Specialist Groups (SG), one of which is the Bat Specialist Group.

ENDS

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