USGS Multimedia Gallery: Endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat

Title: Endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat

Description:

An endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, a species that is sometimes killed by wind turbines. USGS scientists from Hawaii and Colorado are devising a way to directly observe bat occurrence and behavior at wind turbines using a video system composed of high-powered illuminators and near-infrared cameras. This new approach images the full rotor-swept areas of wind turbines for entire nights and long durations, and then uses advanced image-processing software to automatically find flying bats and birds in the copious amounts of recorded footage. This a significant step in developing a feasible method to enhance our understanding of how wind turbines affect bats and nocturnal migratory birds, with the ultimate goal of finding new ways for wind-energy development to continue expanding while reducing the harmful effects of this renewable energy source on wildlife.

Location: USA

Date Taken:

Photographer: Frank Bonaccorso , USGS

Usage: This image is public domain/of free use unless otherwise stated. Please refer to the USGS Copyright section for how to credit the photo.

Source:

File Details:
Type: JPEG image - 878.12 KB
Dimensions: 1222 x 1009

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Bats (Set)