Current status
Small populations of the greater mouse-eared bat once existed in Dorset and Sussex, but these were lost due largely to collection and roost destruction. It has been extinct in the UK since 1990.
A globally threatened species, this bat is listed on Appendix II of the Bonn Convention (and is included in the Convention`s Agreement on the Conservation of Bats in Europe), Annex II of the Bern Convention and Annex II and IV of the EC Habitats Directive. It is protected under Schedule 2 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats, etc.) Regulations, 1994 (Regulation 38) and Schedule 5 of the WCA 1981.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain any extant populations discovered in the UK.
Enhance any extant populations discovered in the UK.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
No action proposed.
Site safeguard and management
Ensure continued protection of known formerly occupied key sites. No further action would be appropriate unless the species re-colonises. (ACTION: NE)
Species management and protection
Prepare to launch major conservation initiative should the species re-colonise naturally or be rediscovered. (ACTION: NE)
Advisory
No action proposed.
Future Research and Monitoring
Check recently occupied sites annually in case re-colonisation takes place. (ACTION: NE)
Pass information gathered during survey and monitoring of this species to JNCC in order that it can be incorporated in a national database and contribute to the maintenance of an up-to-date Red List. (ACTION: NE)
Communications and Publicity
No action proposed.
Links with other action plans
None given.
Local implementation
The following LBAPs are working on Myotis myotis:
Publication details
Originally published in: Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report - Volume II: Action Plans (December 1995, Tranche 1, Vol 2, p88)