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Bat Conservation International

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Bat Conservation International
Bat Conservation International Inc.
AbbreviationBCI
FormationOctober 2, 1982; 42 years ago (1982-10-02)
FounderMerlin D. Tuttle[1]
TypeCharitable trust
74-2553144
Legal status501(c)(3)
FocusEnvironmentalism, Conservation
HeadquartersAustin, Texas
OriginsMilwaukee, Wisconsin
Region
Worldwide
Board Chair
Charles Chester, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Mike Daulton
Charles Chester, Ph.D.; Gary Dreyzin; Gerald Carter, Ph.D.; Ann George; Brock Fenton, Ph.D.; Dr. Shahroukh Mistry; Jenn Stephens, MBA; Nancy Simmons, Ph.D.; Andy Sansom, Ph.D.; Maria Mathis-Kruser; George 'Timo' Hixon; Alexander R. (Sandy) Read; Donald R. Kendall, Jr., MBA; Eileen Arbues; Roger Still
Websitehttps://www.batcon.org/

Bat Conservation International (BCI) is an international nongovernmental organization working to conserve bats and their habitats through conservation, education, and research efforts.

BCI was founded in 1982 by bat biologist Merlin Tuttle, who led the organization until his retirement in 2009.[2] Since its establishment, BCI has formed partnerships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and many national and international agencies and nonprofits, and has produced publications, workshops, scholarships, and research, and site-specific projects in the US and internationally. BCI employs a staff of 30 biologists, educators, and administrators and has members in 60 countries.

Conservation strategies

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BCI operates by its "10 critical conservation strategies": 1) Accelerating scientific research 2) Preventing extinction 3) Protecting intact areas with highly diverse bat communities 4) Preserving megapopulations of bats 5) Creating global and regional partnerships 6) Addressing threats impacting multiple species at multiple sites 7) Promoting community-based bat conservation 8) Creating and enforcing legal and policy frameworks 9) Developing and perfecting important technology 10) Investing in future conservation leadership[3]

Addressing serious threats

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BCI funds and participates in research to mitigate damage to bat populations. Some of the threats previously or currently addressed include:

Protecting megapopulations

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Being colonial, many bat species form colonies that can consist of millions of individuals.[5] Because some bat species are highly aggregated, entire species can be threatened by disturbance to a small number of roosts.[6] BCI seeks to protect these roosts of high aggregations, or "mega-populations."[4] Some ways that BCI works to protect megapopulations are:

  • Determining the effects of cave gates on bat usage of caves[4]
  • Purchasing land with important caves, such as Bracken Cave, home of the world's largest bat colony[7]
  • Using education and outreach to protect bat roosts from purposeful eradication, such as the colony at the Congress Avenue Bridge that was initially unwelcome[8]

Preventing extinction

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In their 2014–2018 Strategic Plan, BCI identified 35 critically endangered or endangered species of bats as priority species that will receive a concentrated focus of research and conservation efforts to hopefully prevent their extinction.[4] BCI is also a member of the Alliance for Zero Extinction, which seeks to safeguard the last habitats of critically endangered species.[3]

In 2022, Bat Conservation International (BCI) has employed the use of high accuracy workflow via GIS (Global Information System) to survey abandoned mines in New Mexico.[9] They survey habitats that can support favorable conditions (right moisture and temperature, absence of predators, and other factors); protecting habitats helps the native population of bats to avoid extinction. BCI has a team of 30 employees who manages the preservation of 35 endangered bat species with 3 species endemic to the United States. In conjunction with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and other government regional land management organizations, BCI collects data to locate these sites. Moreover, topographical maps provided by the USGS (United States Geological Service) and two Arrow 100 Global Navigation satellites System (GNSS) have been used to navigate terrains and locate entrances or gateways to prospective abandon mines that can be used by the bat populations. Sites are then evaluated by using Survey123 ( a data collection application) to analyze and disseminate data (temperature, humidity, guano concentrations that determines concentration of food sources, etc.). 785 mines in the vicinity of Palomas Gap, Timber Mountain, Rincon Basin, Burbank Canyon, and Brushy Mountain have been selected by the BCI team as candidate locations. As reported from the ArcNews Winter 2022 issue, BCI has completed evaluating about 308 sites that yielded 8 habitats with evidence of bat activity.

Common name Species name IUCN conservation status Range
Indiana bat Myotis sodalis NT (formerly EN)[10] Eastern U.S.
Florida bonneted bat Eumops floridanus VU (formerly CR)[11] Southern Florida
Greater long-nosed bat Leptonycteris nivalis EN[12] Southwest U.S., Mexico
Jamaican greater funnel-eared bat Natalus jamaicensis CR[13] Jamaica
Paraguana moustached bat Pteronotus paraguanensis EN[14] Venezuela
Fernandez's sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina fernandezi EN[15] Venezuela
Marinkelle's sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina marinkellei VU (formerly EN)[16] Colombia
Choco broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus chocoensis VU (formerly EN)[17] Panama, Colombia, Ecuador
Ecuadorian sac-winged bat Balantiopteryx infusca VU (formerly EN)[18] Ecuador, Colombia
Smokey bat Amorphochilus schnablii VU (formerly EN)[19] Ecuador, Chile
Lesser yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira nana EN[20] Peru, Ecuador
Lamotte's roundleaf bat Hipposideros lamottei CR[21] Border of Côte d'Ivoire and Guinea
Maclaud's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus maclaudi EN[22] Guinea
Ziama horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ziama EN[23] Guinea, Liberia
Hill's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hilli CR[24] Rwanda
Rodrigues flying fox Pteropus rodricensis CR[25] Rodrigues
Seychelles sheath-tailed bat Coleura seychellensis CR[26] Seychelles
Golden-crowned flying fox Acerodon jubatus EN[27] The Philippines
Philippine bare-backed fruit bat Dobsonia chapmani CR[28] The Philippines
Marianas flying fox Pteropus mariannus EN[29] Northern Mariana Islands, Guam
Pacific sheath-tailed bat Emballonura semicaudata EN[30] American Samoa, Fiji, Micronesia, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tonga
Bulmer's fruit bat Aproteles bulmerae CR[31] Papua New Guinea
New Guinea big-eared bat Pharotis imogene CR[32] Papua New Guinea
Bougainville monkey-faced bat Pteralopex anceps EN[33] Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
Greater monkey-faced bat Pteralopex flanneryi CR[34] Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands
Guadalcanal monkey-faced bat Pteralopex atrata EN[35] Solomon Islands
Makira flying fox Pteropus cognatus EN[36] Solomon Islands
Montane monkey-faced bat Pteralopex pulchra CR[37] Solomon Islands
New Georgia monkey-faced bat Pteralopex taki EN[38] Solomon Islands
Temotu flying fox Pteropus nitendiensis EN[39] Solomon Islands
Vanikoro flying fox Pteropus tuberculatus CR[40] Solomon Islands
Banks flying fox Pteropus fundatus EN[41] Vanuatu
Fijian monkey-faced bat Mirimiri acrodonta CR[42] Fiji
Fijian mastiff bat Chaerephon bregullae EN[43] Fiji, Vanuatu

Political advocacy

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In addition to promoting scientific research on bats and their conservation, BCI is also involved in public policy. BCI announces opposition to legislation to mobilize its members against it, such as with Pennsylvania House Bill 1576, which would have changed how threatened and endangered species are protected in the state.[4] In the future, BCI plans to increase its engagement in legislative and policy efforts to conserve bats.[3]

See also

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External audio
audio icon Adventures With a Bat Biologist, 12:29, To the Best of Our Knowledge[44]

References

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  1. ^ "Merlin D. Tuttle - Our Founder". Archived from the original on 2011-04-17. Retrieved 2011-04-11.
  2. ^ "The Founder Passes the Baton". Bat Conservation International. Archived from the original on 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2021-08-23.
  3. ^ a b c "A Five-Year Plan for Global Bat Conservation" (PDF). batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. October 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 17, 2018. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Annual Report 2013-2014" (PDF). batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. August 2014. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 7, 2017. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  5. ^ Betke, M., Hirsh, D. E., Makris, N. C., McCracken, G. F., Procopio, M., Hristov, N. I., ... & Crampton, S. (2008). Thermal imaging reveals significantly smaller Brazilian free-tailed bat colonies than previously estimated. Journal of Mammalogy, 89(1), 18–24.
  6. ^ McCracken, G. F. (2011). Cave conservation: special problems of bats. Course Booklet, 68.
  7. ^ "Protecting a Jewel in Texas". batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  8. ^ "Congress Avenue Bridge". batcon.org. Bat Conservation International. Retrieved May 1, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Where the Bats Go: To Locate Potential Habitats in Abandoned Mines, Organization Employs a High-Accuracy GIS-Based Workflow". ArcNews. 44 (1): 18–19. 2022.
  10. ^ Arroyo-Cabrales, J.; Ospina-Garces, S. (2016). "Myotis sodalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T14136A22053184. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T14136A22053184.en.
  11. ^ Solari, S. (2016). "Eumops floridanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136433A21984011. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136433A21984011.en.
  12. ^ Medellín, R. (2016). "Leptonycteris nivalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T11697A22126172. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T11697A22126172.en.
  13. ^ Solari, S. (2016). "Natalus jamaicensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136824A22043871. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136824A22043871.en.
  14. ^ Solari, S. (2016). "Pteronotus paraguanensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T136610A21987754. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T136610A21987754.en.
  15. ^ Solari, S. (2016). "Lonchorhina fernandezi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T12271A22039142. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T12271A22039142.en.
  16. ^ Solari, S. (2016). "Lonchorhina marinkellei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T12272A22038923. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T12272A22038923.en.
  17. ^ Ramirez-Chaves, H.; Suárez-Castro, A. (2020). "Platyrrhinus chocoensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T17568A166501543. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T17568A166501543.en.
  18. ^ Tirira, D. (2016) [errata version of 2015 assessment]. "Balantiopteryx infusca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T2531A97206692. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T2531A22029804.en.
  19. ^ Velazco, P.; Huamani, L.; Cadenillas, R. (2015). "Amorphochilus schnablii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T1154A22070889. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T1154A22070889.en.
  20. ^ Solari, S.; Boada, C. (2016). "Sturnira nana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T20958A22050195. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T20958A22050195.en.
  21. ^ Monadjem, A.; Cooper-Bohannon, R. (2020). "Hipposideros lamottei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T10141A22091938. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T10141A22091938.en.
  22. ^ Shapiro, J.; Cooper-Bohannon, R.; Fahr, J. (2019). "Rhinolophus maclaudi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T19549A21978925. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T19549A21978925.en.
  23. ^ Cooper-Bohannon, R.; Monadjem, A. (2020). "Rhinolophus ziama". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T44786A22068674. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T44786A22068674.en.
  24. ^ Fahr. J. (2010). "Rhinolophus hilli". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T44781A10937550. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T44781A10937550.en.
  25. ^ Tatayah, V.; Jhangeer-Khan, R.; Bégué, J.A.; Jones, C.G. (2017). "Pteropus rodricensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T18755A22087057. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T18755A22087057.en.
  26. ^ Mondajem, A.; Gerlach, J.; Mickleburgh, S.; Hutson, A.M.; Bergmans, W. (2017). "Coleura seychellensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T5112A22089794. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T5112A22089794.en.
  27. ^ Mildenstein, T.; Paguntalan, L. (2016). "Acerodon jubatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T139A21988328. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T139A21988328.en.
  28. ^ Waldien, D.L. (2020). "Dobsonia chapmani". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T6773A22033978. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T6773A22033978.en.
  29. ^ Mildenstein, T. (2020). "Pteropus mariannus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T188566753A22083400. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T188566753A22083400.en.
  30. ^ Waldien, D.L.; Scanlon, A. (2021). "Emballonura semicaudata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T7669A22135085. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T7669A22135085.en.
  31. ^ Aplin, K.; Armstrong, K.; Wright, D. (2016). "Aproteles bulmerae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T1933A22136238. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T1933A22136238.en.
  32. ^ Armstrong, K.N.; Aplin, K.; Broken-brow, J. (2020). "Pharotis imogene". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T16887A22114175. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T16887A22114175.en.
  33. ^ Lavery, T.H. (2017). "Pteralopex anceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T18656A22071126. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T18656A22071126.en.
  34. ^ Lavery, T.H. (2017). "Pteralopex flanneryi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T136587A21998747. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136587A21998747.en.
  35. ^ Lavery, T.H. (2017). "Pteralopex atrata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T18657A22074222. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T18657A22074222.en.
  36. ^ Lavery, T.H. (2017). "Pteropus cognatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T136397A22014516. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T136397A22014516.en.
  37. ^ Lavery, T.H. (2018) [amended version of 2017 assessment]. "Pteralopex pulchra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T18658A128950188. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T18658A128950188.en.
  38. ^ Lavery, T.H. (2017). "Pteralopex taki". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T29473A22066155. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T29473A22066155.en.
  39. ^ Leary, T.; Lavery, T.H.; Pierce, R. (2020). "Pteropus nitendiensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T18744A22083923. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T18744A22083923.en.
  40. ^ Lavery, T.H.; Leary, T.; Pierce, R. (2020). "Pteropus tuberculatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T18765A22088712. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T18765A22088712.en.
  41. ^ Lavery, T.H.; Hamilton, S.; Helgen, K. (2020). "Pteropus fundatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T18724A22080348. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T18724A22080348.en.
  42. ^ Scanlon, A. (2019). "Mirimiri acrodonta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T18655A22071017. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T18655A22071017.en.
  43. ^ Waldien, D.L.; Scanlon, A.; Thompson, B.L.; Sherwin, R.E.; Naikatini, A.; Tikoca, S. (2019). "Chaerephon bregullae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T4309A22020149. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T4309A22020149.en.
  44. ^ "Adventures With a Bat Biologist". To the Best of Our Knowledge via WNYC. August 28, 2016. Retrieved November 3, 2016.
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