3 species of bat: fact sheet on emergency listing order

Why are these bats endangered

These three bat species are undergoing incredibly rapid population declines due to a wildlife disease known as White-nose Syndrome (WNS). The disease is named for the white fungus that grows on the muzzle of affected bats while they hibernate. Bats affected by WNS arouse frequently during hibernation, depleting their limited resources (stored water, electrolytes and fat) and making them more likely to die. The population declines that have been documented for these species are considered by some experts to be the most rapid decline of mammals ever documented anywhere in the world.

The fungus that causes WNS was likely introduced to North America by people who visited caves in Europe and subsequently visited caves in the United States. The disease has now been confirmed in five provinces - Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. The fungus is likely spread by contact between individual bats, their environments and by people who carry the fungus spores on their clothing, equipment, footwear or by other means.

Why are these bats important

These three bat species, and bats in general, provide a broad range of ecological goods and services, most notably, important pest control services which likely contribute to crop and forest yields in Canada. These species each consume significant quantities of insects that damage forests and a variety of Canadian crops, including wheat, barley, corn, oats, canola, flaxseed, and other oilseeds. The pest control services offered by these three species of bats also results in avoided expenditures on insecticides. It can be safely assumed that the absence of these bats would have a negative impact on Canadian agricultural and forestry sectors, and to property owners and municipalities either via reduced crop yields or costs associated with additional insecticide use.

More broadly, a self-sustaining healthy ecosystem, with its various elements in place, including the bat species, contributes positively to Canadians’ livelihoods, health and well-being. Canada’s natural heritage is an integral part of our national identity and history. It is valuable to Canadians not only to preserve species in the short term, but also for future generations to enjoy.

How does the Species at Risk Act protect these bats

In a province, the addition of these bats to Schedule I of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) means that these species are legally protected where they are found on federal lands. In a territory, this means that these species are legally protected where they are found on federal lands that are under the authority of the Minister of the Environment or the Parks Canada Agency. These legal protections (known as the General Prohibitions) prohibit:

• the killing, harming, harassing, capturing or taking of an individual of one of the three bat species
• the possession, collection, buying, selling or trading of an individual or any part or derivative of an individual of one of the three species; and
• the damage or destruction of the residence of one or more individuals of one of the three species

As required under SARA, a recovery strategy will be developed to identify actions required to address the threats to these species. It will also identify critical habitat to the extent possible. If this is not possible, a schedule of studies to identify critical habitat will be included in the recovery strategy.

Who will be affected by this listing

Canadians and Canadian businesses operating on federal lands could be impacted by the addition of these species to Schedule I. The sectors most likely to be affected include:

• Wind energy
• Pest control
• Mining
• Speleologists/Caving/ecotourism and parks with cave attractions
• Forestry
• Bat researchers
• Aboriginal communities
• Federal government departments and agencies

Do I need a permit

If your activities take place on federal land in a province, or on lands in a territory that are under the authority of the Minister of the Environment or the Parks Canada Agency, and those activities could contravene the General Prohibitions described above, you will need to apply for a permit under SARA.

Permits will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The permit may only be issued where:

• the activity is scientific research relating to the conservation of the species and conducted by qualified persons
• the activity benefits the species or is required to enhance its chance of survival in the wild; or
• affecting the species is incidental to the carrying out of the activity

In addition, permits may also only be issued where:

• all reasonable alternatives to the activity that would reduce the impact on the species have been considered and the best solution has been adopted
• all feasible measures will be taken to minimize the impact of the activity on the species or its critical habitat or the residences of its individuals; and
• the activity will not jeopardize the survival or recovery of the species

More information on the SARA permitting process – including contact information - is available on the Species at Risk (SAR) Public Registry on the Permit Applications web site.

What can I do to help protect these bats

Accessing a cave or inactive mine on federal lands at any time of year may present a risk of a contravention of the General Prohibitions under SARA.

When accessing caves or inactive mines, you may inadvertently spread the fungus that causes WNS. If the area is on federal land, this could constitute harm to the bats and / or damage or destruction of the residence, which is prohibited. If you must access a cave or mine on federal lands, you may wish to apply for a permit under SARA.

You may wish to refrain from accessing caves and inactive mines, especially during the winter months when bats may be using these areas to hibernate. Bats awaken easily during hibernation, and this depletes their energy stores and can cause them to die of starvation before the winter is over. By accessing caves or inactive mines during the winter months, you may inadvertently awaken them, and this could constitute harm and / or harassment of one of these bats, which is prohibited under SARA on federal land.

Before entering a cave or mine anywhere at any time of year, you should employ decontamination practices known to be effective in destroying the spores of the fungus which causes WNS. These spores are very difficult to destroy. You can help by decontaminating your boots, clothes and gear especially when visiting multiple caves or inactive mines so that you avoid spreading WNS from one location to another.

You should also leave bats undisturbed when they are found. Consider offering the bats an alternate residence by building and installing a bat box.

The Government of Canada will continue to work cooperatively with Canadians to protect these three species of bats. Stewardship activities that you would like to undertake to help these species of bats may be eligible for funding under one of the Government of Canada’s stewardship programs, such as the Habitat Stewardship Program or the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk. For more information, please visit the Species at Risk web site.

Where can I find out more information

You can find more information on SARA and these three bat species by visiting the SAR Public Registry. More information on WNS is available on the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) website.