Pleaafter bats killed by wind farm air pressures

ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners fear wind farms are causing the death of millions of bats every year by making their lungs explode.

And they are now urging the Scottish Government to do more to investigate the bizarre effect caused by the turbines – known as barotrauma.

Blades spinning at up to 200mph cause a change in air pressure that can damage the lungs of bats flying close to them.

Retired art lecturer George Herraghty, from Lhanbryde, Moray, has launched a lobbying campaign to protect the animals and questions have been lodged at the Scottish Parliament.

Mr Herraghty said: “The carnage being caused is absolutely devastating.

“Every turbine kills more than 300 bats and birds in Spain and Germany. I expect it to be similar in Scotland but the figures aren’t public.

“People are very quick to make the assumption that turbines are green energy, but they don’t know the carnage it is causing in nature.It’s appalling and I’m at a loss to know why anyone would still support it.”

The bodies of bats and birds have been found seemingly uninjured near the foot of turbines. It is believed the mammals, which feed on insects, are lured towards them by the heat generated by the rotating turbines.

Highlands and Islands MSP David Stewart has lodged questions at Holyrood to ask what is being done to reduce bat deaths.

A Government spokeswoman said: “We support the development of renewable energy in Scotland but will always act to ensure this is done with as little impact on the surrounding environment as possible.”

Scottish Renewables has previously stated environmental impacts studies are done to ensure the impact on wildlife is reduced.