Two Bat Species to Receive Protection under Endangered Species Act

  • Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

May 27, 2021

The Provincial Government is taking action to protect at-risk bat populations by designating and listing two species – Little Brown Myotis and the Northern Myotis – as endangered under the provincial Endangered Species Act.

This designation is in response to the presence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in the province since 2017. WNS is a deadly, non-native bat fungal disease that causes mortality in hibernating bat species. Currently there are no large-scale prevention methods or cures for WNS, which has decimated hibernating bats throughout the eastern Canadian provinces and eastern United States. For more information on WNS in Newfoundland and Labrador, please see the attached backgrounder.

Endangered species designation provides immediate protection to these bats and their residences or dwellings. It is illegal to disturb, harass, injure, or capture bats, or to disturb or destroy their residences, including overwintering sites (hibernacula) and roost sites, such as maternal colonies. Individuals who plan to remove bats from homes, buildings or other structures should contact the Wildlife Division for a permit and further advice to limit the impact on the bats. All activities must adhere to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative’s Best Management Practices to ensure evictions do not negatively impact bats. The province is continuing research and exploring potential habitat protection for these species.

This designation supports the Provincial Government’s contribution to Canada’s international commitment to conserve biological diversity and protect species at risk. The Provincial Government will work cooperatively with industry and other interested parties to ensure no species becomes extinct.

The Little Brown Myotis and the Northern Long-eared Myotis are also currently listed as Endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act in Canada.

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Quote
“Bats play an important role in our ecosystem by helping to control insect populations that affect our forest and agriculture sectors, as well the biting insects we are all-too familiar with here in Newfoundland and Labrador. In most other areas where white-nose syndrome has spread, bat populations have declined by 90 to 99 per cent over a period of about two years. Our native bats need all the help we can give , and this legislation will ensure protection for these species for the future.”
Honourable Derrick Bragg
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture

Learn more

Public Advisory: Residents Asked to Report Bat Sightings

Public Advisory: Residents Encouraged to Report Winter Bat Sightings

Public Advisory: White-nose Syndrome Detected in Bats on the Island of Newfoundland

Bat Health Resources – Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative

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Media contact
Linda Skinner
Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
709-637-2284, 632-8167
lindaskinner@gov.nl.ca

BACKGROUNDER

Information on White-Nose Syndrome in Newfoundland and Labrador

White-nose syndrome (WNS) gets its name from a ring of white fungus that forms on infected bats’ faces. Infected bats suffer severe damage to wing tissue, awaken more frequently from hibernation, and use up limited energy reserves quickly. The animals often perish at hibernation sites or on the landscape while attempting to find food and water. Both the Little Brown Myotis and the Northern Long-eared Myotis in Newfoundland and Labrador are susceptible to white-nose syndrome.

Since 2017, WNS has been detected at western Newfoundland sites in St. Andrew’s, Stephenville Crossing, Highlands, Noel’s Pond, Steady Brook, Humber Village and Rocky Harbour. The fungus that causes WNS as detected in Happy Valley-Goose Bay in 2019. While WNS has not yet been confirmed in eastern Newfoundland or the Avalon Peninsula, some test results are pending.

Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture staff, in conjunction with the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, continue to survey for white-nose syndrome (WNS) in Newfoundland and Labrador. Testing dead bats is a very important tool in the early detection of this disease.

Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador are urged to report any sick or dead bats by contacting the Wildlife Division at 709- 637-2025, the toll-free bat hotline at 1-833-434-BATS (2287) or their local forestry and wildlife office.

2021 05 27 10:40 am