Dark sky reserves protect natural darkness for wildlife that evolved in light-dark cycles, with significant welfare benefits for nocturnal species and migratory animals.
Dark sky reserves are one of the most direct welfare interventions available for nocturnal wildlife. Owls hunting in dark reserves can locate prey by sound with minimal visual interference from artificial light - an environment matched to their evolutionary adaptation. Bats echolocating in darkness find food, avoid predators and socialize normally in ways impossible in illuminated landscapes. Moths that navigate by stars and moon are not disoriented by streetlights. Fireflies can mate successfully. The welfare benefits of darkness for nocturnal animals are not metaphorical - light pollution causes measurable disruption to feeding, reproduction and predator avoidance that directly impairs individual welfare and population viability. Supporting dark sky designation is a concrete, achievable welfare action.