WHAT THE EVIDENCE SAYS
A multispecies Bayesian analysis synthesized 499 post-construction monitoring reports and estimated approximately 18.7 million fatalities across ten bat species, with strong effects for hoary, eastern red and silver-haired bats. Turbine design, land cover and proximity to rivers were associated with species-specific modeled risk.
WHY IT MATTERS / OUR READ
Facility footprint tells little about collision exposure beyond the pad. Species-specific siting, operating rules and consistent post-construction monitoring remain important.
CAVEATS / UNCERTAINTY
Millions are estimated deaths, not observed carcasses; extrapolation and detection errors matter, and fatalities are not equivalent to quantified population decline.
SOURCE
PNAS — Labuzzetta et al. (26 Oct 2026)
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