Virginia Big-Eared Bat
by Kyle Riggs
Summary
The scientific name is Corynorhinus townsendii virginianus, and they are commonly found in Northwestern North Carolina.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_big-eared_bat#Conservation_status
Cause of Endangerment
Human disturbance during hibernation causes bats to lose stored fat reserves, and repeated disturbance can cause the bats to die before spring.
Response to Endangerment
Caves that are preferred by the bats are closed to the public, in order to prevent human disturbance, and colonies are monitored for population surveys.