The Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is a federally endangered subspecies restricted to north-central/western Arkansas and northeast Oklahoma. The total population is estimated at less than 2,000 individuals and past research has been limited due to species sensitivity to disturbance and the small population size. The Arkansas Ecological Services Field Office and U.S. Forest Service have partnered to study movements and habitat selection of a maternity colony of Ozark big-eared bats in the Ozark National Forest. Individuals are being tracked to assess the colony’s foraging ecology in response to a gradient of prescribed fire and timber management activities implemented on the forest. Linking frequency of use with specific management activities will provide a better understanding of how to better manage to benefit the Ozark big-eared bat.
Research