Today the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) announced that the Hoary Bat, Eastern Red Bat and Silver-haired Bat have been assessed as Endangered in Canada. These species are among the most common bats in Alberta, but alarming numbers are being killed by wind turbines. We are at risk of losing these species, especially given the exponential growth occurring in the wind energy industry. While wind turbines are the primary cause of this situation, other threats, such as habitat loss, climate change, and insect declines are likely contributing to their decline.
There are ways to mitigate the threat posed by wind turbines — bats are only killed at night, and mostly during the fall on nights with low wind speeds. Not operating turbines during these conditions can greatly reduce fatalities. We urgently need action from governments and industry to ensure that necessary changes are made to ensure ‘green energy’ is actually green.
This listing now means that 5 of the 9 bat species that occur in Alberta have been formally assessed as Endangered.
Read the full press release from COSEWIC here: https://www.cosewic.ca/index.php/en-ca/news-and-events/press-release-may-2023.html