Survey of an endangered bat roost at Coronado National Memorial, Arizona
Best A, Diamond G, Diamond J, Buecher D, Sidner R, Cerasale D, Tress J. 2015. Survey of an endangered bat roost at Coronado National Memorial, Arizona. Park Science. 32(1):49-56
To protect a lesser long-nosed bat post-maternity roost, the National Park Service installed bat-compatible gates on the entrances to the abandoned State of Texas Mine within Coronado National Memorial in southeastern Arizona. Video camcorder surveys performed during peak occupation of this roost examined colony size, gate-induced injury or mortality, and bat exit rates. Although the colony decreased in size after the installation of the gate, the reduced number of bats cannot with certainty be attributed to the presence of the gate. A large wildfire and drought likely contributed to reduced numbers. The study did not find evidence that the gates caused injury or mortality, or impeded the bats while exiting the roost. Further monitoring could ensure that lesser long-nosed bats continue to use the State of Texas Mine.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Best, Amanda; Diamond, Gabrielle; Diamond, Joel; Buecher, Debbie; Sidner, Ronnie; Cerasale, David; Tress, James
- Units
- CORO
- Keywords
- Arizona Game and Fish Department, bat emergence rates, bat migration, bat roosts, bat-compatible gates, Coronado National Memorial, endangered bats, Endangered Species, Huachuca mountains, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, lesser long-nosed bats, State of Texas