Results of Bat Study at Rocky Mountain Arsenal Refuge Due in February

Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado will release in February findings from a two-year study of the refuge’s bat population. The national wildlife refuge is a valuable bat foraging area, particularly for breeding big brown bats.

The refuge’s bat study began in May 2003, examining species composition, relative abundance and contaminant levels. The study, which complements one conducted in 1997-1998, will indicate the effectiveness of remediation in reducing wildlife’s exposure to contaminants, and contribute to more effective bat conservation and management. Many bat species in North America have been declining for the past several decades.

Because bats are vulnerable to contaminants, they are good indicators of environmental pollution. Levels of dieldrin, DDT, DDE, and mercury in big brown bats have been evaluated by the study. The big brown bat is the most abundant bat species at the refuge, where the silver-haired bat is also found.

For more information, contact Noelle Ronan, Wildlife Biologist, Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, Noelle_Ronan@fws.gov; (303) 289-0908.