FWS: Give Northern Long-Eared Bats Full Protection Under the Endangered Species Act!
- by: Julie S.
- recipient: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director
As a result of a deadly fungal disease called white-nose syndrome and critical habitat loss, populations of the northern long-eared bat have declined by 90% in their core range and 99% in the northeastern United States.
Northern long-eared bats, as well as other bat species, are of critical importance to maintaining healthy ecosystems. A single bat typically eats 6,000 to 8,000 mosquito-sized insects per night, providing much needed protection from disease-carrying pests. Considering the growing threat of the Zika virus and dangerous pesticides being used to eradicate infected mosquitos, the significant role of bats as predators must not be underestimated.
Facing pressure from corporate interests, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unfortunately removed northern long-eared bats from the list of "endangered" species, and instead classified the species as "threatened." A special rule was created that allows logging, oil and gas drilling, mining, and construction of wind energy projects to continue to destroy the bats' habitats. These activities have been identified by the Center for Biological Diversity as some of the bats' greatest threats to survival.
According to Jane Davenport, Defenders of Wildlife Senior Staff Attorney, "The northern long-eared bat is in imminent danger of extinction from white-nose syndrome across its entire range. This situation is an emergency and needs to be treated as such by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. FWS' reversal of their proposal to list the northern long-eared bat as endangered is irresponsible."
Please join me today in urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to give northern long-eared bats full protection under the Endangered Species Act. Northern long-eared bats must be classified as endangered and its habitats must be protected if the species is to have a chance at escaping extinction. This extremely ecologically important species needs you to help protect them NOW - please sign and share this petition right away!
Dear Director Ashe,
I am deeply concerned regarding the tremendous decline in populations of the northern long-eared bat. As you are aware, populations of the northern long-eared bat have declined by 90% in their core range and 99% in the northeastern United States.
Northern long-eared bats, as well as other bat species, are of critical importance to maintaining healthy ecosystems. A single bat typically eats 6,000 to 8,000 mosquito-sized insects per night, providing humans and other animals much needed protection from disease-carrying pests. Considering the growing threat of the Zika virus and dangerous pesticides being used to eradicate infected mosquitos, the significant role of bats as predators must not be underestimated.
Please reverse your decision to classify the northern long-eared bat as "threatened." Instead, I request that you give northern long-eared bats full protection under the Endangered Species Act by classifying them as "endangered" and providing habitat protections.
In order for this species to have a chance of escaping extinction, it is imperative that you no longer allow logging, oil and gas drilling, mining, and construction of wind energy projects to continue to destroy the bats' habitats. Please prioritize the welfare of this endangered species above corporate interests.
[Your comments here]
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
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