MAMMALS
Capture of Northern Long-eared Bat at Historic Net Site by Katherine Etchison, Bat Biologist and Joey Weber, Bat Technician
T hroughout summer 2024, across western NC, we surveyed mist-net sites with historic captures of Indiana bat (Myotis sodalis) or northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) . Populations of these species have declined substantially since White-nose Syndrome (WNS) was detected in the state in 2011. These species are now rarely encountered in western NC, so efforts to survey historic sites are necessary to detect WNS survivors. Additionally, we surveyed new mist-net sites where 2023 acoustic detections of northern long-eared bat or Indiana bats throughout western NC indicated the species may be present. Efforts to catch one of these rare bats paid off with the capture of a northern long-eared bat at a Haywood County mist-net site! The individual was a healthy adult female. The last capture of this species at the site occurred in 2014 despite attempts in 2015 and
2016. This is the first capture of this species in western NC since 2022 and may signify presence of a survivor population in the immediate area. A mist-net survey will occur in 2025 to start learning more about this potential population and radio-te- lemetry efforts may be undertaken in the future.
Right: Wildlife Diversity Technician, Joey Weber and US Fish and Wildlife Service Biologist, Sue Cameron, mark a northern long- eared bat caught in a mist-net survey. Below: A northern long-eared bat caught in a 2024 mist-net survey in Haywood County.
KATHERINE ETCHISON/NCWRC
51 2024 Wildlife Diversity Program Annual Report
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