Critical Habitat Designated for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bat

In a Press Release on March 6, 2024

Critical Habitat Designated for Endangered Florida Bonneted Bat
Over 1.1 Million Acres Designated in 13 Florida Counties

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.— Following a court-ordered agreement, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today designated more than 1.1 million acres of critical habitat for the endangered Florida bonneted bat.

This is a much welcomed, albeit delayed, action by the Service,” said Dennis Olle, president of the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association. “This critical habitat designation for one of North America’s rarest bats, provides an umbrella of protection for all species living thereunder.”

This critical habitat designation is the result of the 2022 lawsuit by the Center, Tropical Audubon Society and the Miami Blue Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association.

Read the entire Press Release CLICK HERE.

 

The Public Inspections by The DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service provided the following determination.

SUMMARY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), designate critical habitat
for the Florida bonneted bat (Eumops floridanus) under the Endangered Species Act of
1973 (Act), as amended. In total, approximately 1,160,625 acres (469,688 hectares) in 13
Florida counties fall within the boundaries of the critical habitat designation. This rule
extends the Act’s protections to this species’ critical habitat.

To read more on the inspections and where the Critical Habitat areas are located in Florida, CLICK HERE.