Save Bats in Eastern Canada

  • by: J. Enright
  • recipient: Leona Aglukkaq, Environment Minister of Canada, and Environment Canada

White-nose fungus has nearly wiped out the population of three types of bats in eastern Canada. Scientists say the disease is being detected further west each year. In some areas, three types of bats -- the little brown bat, northern myotis and tri-colored bat -- have been "functionally extirpated."

Tell Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq to save Canada's bats.

In New Brunswick alone, about 99 percent of little brown bats have died. Nova Scotia's population of bats has also been drastically affected and white-nose fungus (which grows in cold weather and occurs while bats are hibernating and at their most vulnerable) has even spread to Cape Breton.

There is no known cure for white-nose fungus, which came to North America from Europe. Canada's entire population of bats could be infected in just 12 to 18 years.

Because white-nose fungus has existed from some time in Europe, bats there have developed resistance. We have to do everything we can to help bats in Canada survive.

That is why, almost a year ago, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada recommended that Minister Aglukkaq designate the little brown bat, northern myotis and tri-colored bat endangered under the Species at Risk Act. So far, Minister Aglukkaq has not said whether she plans to make a decision about listing the three bat species as endangered.

We have to urge the Canadian government to take action now and protect bats before it is too late. Tell Minister Aglukkaq and Environment Canada to save Canada's bats and declare the little brown bat, northern myotis and tri-colored bat endangered.

To Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq,


We, the undersigned, ask that you consider our request to save Canada's bats before they disappear forever.


Already, white-nose fungus has nearly wiped out the population of three types of bats in eastern Canada. Scientists say the disease is being detected further west each year. In some areas, three types of bats -- the little brown bat, northern myotis and tri-colored bat -- have been "functionally extirpated."


In New Brunswick alone, about 99 percent of little brown bats have died. Nova Scotia's population of bats has also been drastically affected and white-nose fungus (which grows in cold weather and occurs while bats are hibernating and at their most vulnerable) has even spread to Cape Breton.


There is no known cure for white-nose fungus, which came to North America from Europe. Canada's entire population of bats could be infected in just 12 to 18 years.


Almost a year ago, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada recommended that you designate the little brown bat, northern myotis and tri-colored bat endangered under the Species at Risk Act. 


We urge you to take action now and protect bats before it is too late. Please consider our request to save Canada's bats and designate the little brown bat, northern myotis and tri-colored bat as endangered.


Thank you for your consideration.


Sincerely,


[Your Name]

Sign Petition
Sign Petition
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.

Privacy Policy

By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.

Having problems signing this? Let us know.