On April 16, the Service announced in the Federal Register the availability of the Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) Draft Recovery Plan:  First Revision for public comment.

The comment period closes July 16, at which time staff will consider all comments received to develop the final plan.  Both the draft plan and the Federal Register Notice of Availability are available at http://www.fws.gov/midwest/Endangered. 

The original recovery plan for the species was published in 1983.  The Service has records of extant winter populations at approximately 281 hibernacula in 19 states and 269 maternity colonies in 16 states.  The 2005 population estimate was 457,000, about half as many as when the species was listed as endangered in 1967.  Almost half of all Indiana bats (207,000 in 2005) hibernate in caves in southern Indiana.

Actions to help recover the endangered Indiana bat are outlined in a draft revised Recovery Plan.  Measures recommended to recover the Indiana bat include conservation and management of hibernacula – the caves or other underground areas where bats hibernate; conservation and management of summer habitat where the species reproduces and raises its young; additional research into the species’ needs and threats to its survival; and public education and outreach. 

Threats to the Indiana bat vary during its annual cycle. At hibernation sites, threats include changes to caves, mines, and surrounding areas that alter airflow and temperature. Human disturbance and vandalism pose significant threats during hibernation through direct mortality and by arousing the bats during hibernation, which depletes their fat reserves.  Natural catastrophes can also have a significant effect during winter because the bats are concentrated in a relatively few sites. During summer months, possible threats include loss and degradation of forested habitat.

Electronic comments on the recovery plan may be submitted t  ibat_recovery_plan@fws.gov or written comments may be sent to Field Supervisor, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ecological Services Field Office, 620 South Walker Street, Bloomington, IN 47403-2121.  Comments must be received by July 16, 2007.