COVID-19 AND BATS

Due to the scarce, often wrong information about the origin of COVID-19, there were rumours among citizens about the risk of the disease coming from bats. This fear, that we had the chance to perceive from citizens asking for information and help, could lead to the eradication and destruction of colonies, violating the laws in force and causing negative consequences on the environment. In Europe there have already been some reports about colonies' destruction. 

ISPRA - Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, being aware of the problem, has already written a text aimed at the correct information of the public. 

A joint communiqué of the Secretariats of UNEP/CMS (Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals), UNEP/AEWA (Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds) and UNEP/EUROBATS (Agreement on the Conservation of Populations of European Bats) has been issued on the same subjects.