USGS Multimedia Gallery Title: Endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat An
endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, a species that is sometimes
killed by wind turbines. USGS scientists from Hawaii and
Colorado are devising a way to directly observe bat occurrence
and behavior at wind turbines using a video system composed of
high-powered illuminators and near-infrared cameras. This new
approach images the full rotor-swept areas of wind turbines for
entire nights and long durations, and then uses advanced image-
processing software to automatically find flying bats and birds
in the copious amounts of recorded footage. This a significant
step in developing a feasible method to enhance our
understanding of how wind turbines affect bats and nocturnal
migratory birds, with the ultimate goal of finding new ways for
wind-energy development to continue expanding while reducing the
harmful effects of this renewable energy source on wildlife.
Photographer: Frank Bonaccorso , USGS Usage: This image is
public domain/of free use unless otherwi