Bat populations are declining globally due to disease, habitat loss, and wind turbine mortality. As keystone species for insect control and pollination, their welfare matters both intrinsically and ecologically.
Bat welfare is challenged by several human-caused mortality sources. White-nose syndrome causes bats to rouse repeatedly during hibernation, depleting fat reserves that are essential for winter survival; affected bats die from starvation in their roost colonies, often in large numbers. Wind turbine barotrauma — internal hemorrhage caused by rapid pressure changes near turbine blades — kills bats without direct blade strike, often causing slow death. Pesticide exposure reduces the insect prey base that bats depend on, increasing foraging effort and reducing reproductive success. Disturbance of maternity roosts during the pup-rearing season causes abandonment and pup mortality. Bats' long lives and complex social structures mean individual welfare losses are sustained over time.