More Action Needed to Halt Westward Spread

Center for Biological Diversity— The Center for Biological Diversity praised today’s announcement that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will close caves and mines in the national refuge system to reduce the spread of a disease that’s fatal to bats. While most important bat caves have long been closed on refuges to protect bats from human disturbance, the new policy also closes mines, which can also be significant roosting and hibernating sites for bats, particularly in western states. Approximately nine different refuges with mine complexes will see these sites made off-limits by the new directive.

By Andreas Streit, Executive Secretary

Prague (Czech Republic) - They save the farming industry millions of dollars each year, help sustain the world's forests and, in some countries, are a major tourist attraction. Bats - described as 'one of the planet's most misunderstood and persecuted mammals' - are now flying out of the night and into the spotlight for a two-year-long celebration.