Wind turbines lead to decline in bat population
Canada’s three migratory bats are now officially recognized as endangered species.
The eastern red, silver and hoary bats have seen a significant drop in numbers.
Collisions with wind turbines have played a major role in the population decline.
“Wind energy is booming in Alberta as elsewhere and bats and wind turbines don't get along very well. The wind turbines kill a lot of bats. In fact in Alberta it kills more bats than it does birds,” said University of Calgary professor of biological sciences Dr. Robert Barclay.
Wind turbines are a common sight in southern Alberta, taking advantage of the region’s windy conditions.
Bats don’t need to hit a turbine to be killed by one, just getting close can be deadly.
Dr. Cori Lausen, director of bat conservation for the Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, said “all they really have to do is get close to these blades and that's a low pressure zone and that literally causes the blood vessels in their lungs to explode. Sort of like a scuba diver coming up too quickly.”
Between 500,000 and a million bats are killed each year by wind turbines across Canada and the United States.
Collisions with wind turbines have played a major role in the population decline.
But because migratory bats travel at night and typically not in large groups, tracking the number of bats in any one region or how many are killed by turbines is challenging.
“It's funny when I get asked questions about how many bats there are,” said Dr. Lausen. “We have a hard time counting trees, and they don't move. So it's been very difficult to estimate bat populations.”
Bats play an essential role in pest control, pollinating plants and dispersing seeds. Fewer bats forces farmers to use more pesticides, which also harms bat populations.
According to experts slowing down turbines in low wind conditions especially at night can help save the bats.
Dr. Barclay said “When the wind speeds are low, shut down the turbines, and see how many fewer bats you kill. In experiments we did with several Alberta companies, (we saw) 50 per cent less fatalities of bats.”
Bats that hibernate are facing their own challenges.
An outbreak of white nose syndrome across North America has killed significant numbers of bats in hibernation roosts.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.