"Three Values Catalogue" 2023 Edition Includes Eight Bat Species | Bat Conservation Action Network News (BCAN-017)

On June 30, 2023, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of China released the revised "Catalogue of Terrestrial Wildlife with Important Ecological, Scientific, and Social Values," also known as the "Three Values Catalogue." （三有保护动物）The updated Catalogue now includes a total of 1,924 species of wildlife. Compared to the original catalogue first published in 2000, this revision introduces over 700 additional species of wild animals. Bat Conservation Action Network (BCAN) has taken note that eight bat species from the family Pteropodidae, which belongs to the order Chiroptera, have been included in the revised catalogue.

The eight bat species are (in Scientific names): Rousettus leschenaultii, Cynopterus sphinx, Rhinolophus affinis, Rhinolophus monoceros, Chaerephon plicatus, Eptesicus nilssonii, Megaderma spasma, Megaderma lyra.

These revisions aim to define the range of terrestrial wildlife protected beyond the nationally significant species, according to reports.

【Notes】

The term "Three Values Animals" refers to wildlife that possess ecological significance, important economic value, and scientific research value. These animals are protected and hunting or capturing them without authorization is  prohibited. Regarding the "Three Values Animals," capturing or hunting more than 20 individuals constitutes a criminal offense. However, their protection status is not as high as that of China's National Level 1 or Level 2 protected animals.

【Urgent needs to mainstreaming bats conservation】

Bats play a crucial role in ecosystems. However, the current research on bats in China is far from sufficient. As several senior scientists have lamented, "No one in China has studied the migration of bats. The survival status, geographical distribution, habitat, endangered status and causes, and what measures should be taken to protect these remarkable mammals in the order Chiroptera, which hold a special place in the ecosystem, remain unknown!" "Chinese bats only contribute to the count of mammal species in the country, is that all!?"

BCAN calls for strengthened research on the ecological value, conservation status, distribution, and protection of bats. It urges the prompt development of a bat species conservation action plan to mainstream biodiversity conservation.

[Note: This article is a case study from the Bat Conservation Action Network (BCAN-017). The Bat Conservation Action Network (BCAN) is a species conservation initiative launched by the Neighborhood Biodiversity Conservation Working Group of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation on June 20, 2023. It aims to promote mainstream biodiversity conservation, enhance media and public awareness of bat conservation, and encourage the establishment of a national bat conservation action plan in China.]

Compiled by Wendy

Checked by Tommy

Editor: Tommy

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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