Conservation of Bats in Argentina

BARQUEZ, R. M.

Merida, Yucatán, México

Simposio; XIV International Bat Research Conference at 37th North American Symposium on Bat Research; 2007

The North American Symposium on Bat Research

An analysis of the Bats of Argentina will be presented, including their distribution, status of the knowledge and conservation perspectives. The potential problems are summarized for every of the 60 species cited for the country, mainly those related with the retraction of natural habitats caused by the antropic action. We will propose a theoretical projection to decide which potentially vulnerable species or groups, segregated by habitats and impact type, have already suffered the major damages and those that will be affected in the future. All of this will be based in the knowledge of their natural history and their biology. An overview of the harmful and beneficial species (non problematic) of Argentina will be presented, as well as the differences of judgments to protect them and the possibilities to implement some conservation strategies. With this purpose the current pattern will be analyzed, trying to understand the reasons of the interest of the Government to support studies in harmful species while not favoring those studies related with species that cause non-visible benefits. The process of popular education that drove to the creation of a law protecting a colonial species of bat (Tadarida brasiliensis), and the difficulties to accept the law by private companies, will be explained. Finally, another aspect to discuss is the necessity to stimulate a South American integrated system for the general protection of the species, with particular interest in the migratory ones. Tadarida brasiliensis), and the difficulties to accept the law by private companies, will be explained. Finally, another aspect to discuss is the necessity to stimulate a South American integrated system for the general protection of the species, with particular interest in the migratory ones.