Wind turbines have killed 19 million bats in 40 years in the US
Nearly 19 million bats are estimated to have been killed by wind turbines in the US between 1981 and 2024, but measures can be taken to make them less deadly
A study has revealed that wind turbines in the United States have killed approximately 19 million bats over the past 40 years, with the number of annual deaths exceeding 1.5 million since 2021. The research, the most comprehensive of its kind, analyzed data from 499 reports of wind farms across 48 US states between 1981 and 2024, focusing on 10 bat species.
Hoary bats were the most affected, with an estimated 6.7 million deaths, followed by eastern red bats (5.8 million), silver-haired bats (3.4 million), and big brown bats (1.5 million). Certain species were found to be more at risk due to their proximity to rivers and the length of turbine blades, while having more space between the blades and the ground may reduce the risk.
The findings may help guide the development of safer wind farms and better conservation measures to protect these vital wildlife species.
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