The Government of Canada is seeking comments on the addition of three migratory bat species to Schedule 1: the Federal List of Wildlife Species at Risk
The Species at Risk Act (SARA) establishes Schedule 1 as the official list of wildlife species at risk. It classifies those species as being either extirpated, endangered, threatened, or of special concern. Once listed, measures to protect and recover a listed wildlife species are implemented. On October 18, 2023, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) submitted status assessments of three migratory bats: the Eastern Red Bat, Hoary Bat, and Silver-haired Bat to the federal Minister of the Environment.
All three of these species are assessed as endangered. This means that if one or more of these migratory bats are added to the list as an endangered species, where they occur on federal lands and on First Nation Reserves, it would be prohibited to:
- Kill, harm, or harass them.
- Possess, collect, buy, sell, or trade them.
- Damage or destroy residences, such as a den or a nest.
The Government of Canada is inviting and encouraging individuals, communities, businesses, and organizations to share comments concerning the addition or reclassification of these three types of migratory bats. Submitted comments will help Environment and Climate Change Canada gain a better understanding of the benefits and costs of these potential bat listings, and will inform the Minister’s recommendation on whether to:
- List the three migratory bats under the SARA,
- Not list the three migratory bats under the SARA, or
- Refer the three migratory bats back to COSEWIC for further consideration.
More information on the listing and consultation process is available on the SARA Public Registry.
Comments will be accepted until May 16, 2024. Comments can be provided by email to the Species at Risk Registry at SARAregistry@ec.gc.ca with the subject “Comments on potential listing of 3 migratory Bats.”
Kallie Wischoff
Policy Advisor
825.319.2245
kallie@RMAlberta.com
Wyatt Skovron
Manager of Policy & Advocacy
780.955.4096
wyatt@RMAlberta.com