Wind Farm Mortality of Chiroptera

About the Collection

This collection highlights the negative effect of wind farms, particularly those operating horizontal-axis wind turbines (i.e. HAWTs), on bat populations. The items included in this collection are selected with the intention of:

• demonstrating the consequences of unmitigated operation of HAWT wind farms
• providing context for the current bat population crisis caused by White-nose Syndrome (WNS)

This is not intended to be a critique of wind energy, but a factual representation of one adverse consequence resulting from the use of horizontal-axis wind turbines (a.k.a. 3-bladed turbines, or HAWTs).

Notes on the Collection

• HAWT mortality photographs were taken at wind farms undergoing post-construction environmental impact surveys, the specific location of which is protected under client privilege. The names and identifying features are redacted, omitted, and assigned a wide-range geographic location.
• HAWT mortality photographs were taken as part of a scientific study. As such, they are intended to adequately display species identification characteristics and not for dramatic effect, emotional impact, or the sensationalization of brutality, gore, or lurid detail. Except for the redaction of wind farm information, they have not been altered or edited.