More about the Specialist Group

The Species Survival Commission (SSC) Specialist Groups provide a wide range of member expertise to IUCN – The World Conservation Union - gathering information and performing species assessments for the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM, and producing species action plans and policy guidelines.  The groups also provide information for the World Conservation Monitoring Centre, which is hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and advise governments that are Party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). All are committed to reversing the extinction crisis by working to save a vast range of species (and their habitats).

The Bat Specialist Group (BSG) is a global network of bat specialists. Over 80 bat biologists and conservationists from over 50 countries have been invited to join the recently reconstituted BSG. Some countries, especially in Africa are still without a representative and this is being addressed at present. The BSG is active in many of its own initiatives, as well as focusing on the assessment of bat species’ status, compiling and distributing intelligence on particular issues of international importance, and supporting the work of its members. A central concern is to promote the dialogue among bat scientists and conservation practitioners throughout the world. The specialists have produced two global conservation action plans for Megachiropteran and Microchiroptera bats (Mickelburgh et al. 1992, Hutson et al. 2001). The Plans provide a global framework for bat protection and aim to stimulate the growing community of bat biologists and conservationists to a greater level of action.