Northern Long-Eared Bat Mist Netting and Radio Telemetry Study
Project Animal(s) : Northern Long-Eared Bat
Project Category : Birds
Project Region : North America
Project Type : Research
Project URL : http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/protecting/projects/bat/northern-long-eared-bat/
Project is timebound? : No
The Northern long-eared bat, also known as Northern myotis (M. septentrionalis) is one of four New Jersey bat species belonging to the Myotis genus. It is similar in size and appearance to the little brown bat (M. lucifugus) and Indiana bat (M. sodalis), with an average weight of six to nine grams, a body length of around three inches, and a nine to ten inch wingspan.
The Northern long-eared bat is one of the species that has been most affected by White-nose Syndrome (WNS), suffering an overwhelming 98% reduction in numbers in WNS-affected areas. As a result, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Northern long-eared bat as Threatened under the Endangered Species Act in April 2015.
This project focuses on locations across the state to generate a big-picture understanding of diverse habitats and regions.Each summer, the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey partners with New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife Endangered and Nongame Species program to conduct a statewide mist-netting and radio telemetry study to learn more about the summer distribution and habitat selection of Northern long-eared bats.
The team collects data on:
- Forearm measurements
- Age (juvenile or adult)
- Reproductive status
- Wing damage index
The goal of this project is to better understand the Northern long-eared population, distribution and habitat use throughout New Jersey. Understanding these factors will lead to better forest management practices and can help guide conservation decisions through. Ultimately, these data can be utilized in forest stewardship plans for New Jersey forest managers and landowners, allowing us to better protect the remaining populations in New Jersey.
Project Agency : Conserve Wildlife
Project Agency Contact : http://www.conservewildlifenj.org/
Project Researcher : Stephanie Feigin
Project Researcher Contact : email@example.com