This assignment involved looking through research on endangered and threatened species. With some background information on the effects of human activity on natural wildlife population, it becomes pertinent that the effect of human beings on the natural habitats of animals be reduced. An example of the adverse effects of human activity was directly experienced on the Moas of New Zealand where overhunting led to the species’ extinction. This paper looks at the Gray bat and its intriguing appearance on the list of endangered species.
The Gray bat, whose scientific name is M yotis grisescens , is an animal found only in the United States. Nonetheless, it can be found in over fifteen states in the country. It is exactly this factor that sparked interest in studying its endangered nature as it would be considered to be quite populous. It has been classified among the endangered species in the US and other regions because of the declining numbers in the 1970s. A large population growth witnessed the encroaching of land into reserves. Gray bats were eliminated during this time as they were perceived as threats to human settlements, especially in the Great Lakes/Big Rivers region.
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One of the action plans that was implemented for the preservation of the Gray bat species was relocation of people from reserves to other areas in a bid to reduce the killing of Gray bats. Furthermore, people were moved away from areas where the natural habitat of the gray bats to avoid adverse interaction with them. Wildlife conservation efforts are thus underway to cap the reducing number of gray bats that has been happening over the last century. Five year status reviews have been conducted to determine the progress in conservation efforts for the gray bats. As a major source of tourism income, the preservation efforts have been boosted by revenues from the tourism industry.
Most policy formulations have been based on conflict reduction, research, outreach and education programs aimed at bringing amity between human beings and the bats. The approach that the Department of Interior has adopted is conducting regular status reviews to check the sustainability of conservation efforts. This way, the government maintains adequate control over the care and conservation of endangered gray bats. In meeting the needs of the people, the report on the reduction of endangerment classification of the Gray bat suggested that the Gray bat population would continue to grow until they are no longer endangered but threatened (Fish & Wildlife Service, 2014).
Some of the advantages of hosting Gray bats within the community are the Gray bat-related tourism that local communities enjoy. Where there is significant number of Gray bats, there is a higher likelihood of tourism influx. Moreover, more Gray bats mean that there is more biodiversity within a community. This human-animal interaction gives a lot of room for the growth of tourism within that region. Additionally, the existence of Gray bats means that there will be specific natural habitats in that area for the bats. Most likely, this will bring certain advantages such as providing the environment with an exposure to government services. Therefore, people within that region will enjoy access to healthcare, education, transportation means and other public services as tourism opens up the area for exploration.
In conclusion, the research has associated low cost mechanisms with the protection of the Gray bat from extinction. Education, outreach and livelihood improvement are some of the most efficient approaches that have been used.
References
Fish & Wildlife Service. (2014). Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Initiation of 5-Year Status Reviews of Nine Listed Animal and Two Listed Plant Species . Retrieved from US Fish & Wildlife Service: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-07-08/pdf/2014-15867.pdf .
