Canadian Assessment Finds Three Species Endangered

[David Riggs]

"
On 3 February 2012, an emergency assessment subcommittee of COSEWIC
(Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) assessed
the status of Tri-colored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), Little Brown
Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), and Northern Myotis (Myotis
septentrionalis) in Canada. All three species were assessed as
Endangered. The subcommittee concluded that the unprecedented
mortality in Canada’s native bat species from Geomyces destructans,
the pathogen responsible for White-nose Syndrome, poses a serious and
imminent threat to the survival of each of these species. Populations
of all three species have recently declined precipitously due to the
rapid spread of White Nose Syndrome. A recommendation has been made
to the Minister of the Environment that an Emergency Order be issued
placing these wildlife species on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk
Act.

The emergency assessment was based on the best available knowledge for
the three bat species and the disease agent in Canada and in the
United States. Although information on bats and the fungal disease is
somewhat limited, the evidence of population collapse and rapid spread
of the disease is clear. This is only the fourth emergency assessment
carried out by COSEWIC in about ten years.
"

http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct7/Bat_Emergency_Assessment_Press_Release_e.cfm

--
David A. Riggs
Myotisoft, LLC
463 Oak Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
http://www.myotisoft.com
dri...@myotisoft.com
(304) 685-7537