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Wyoming Wind Turbines Killed More Than 23,000 Birds And Bats Last Year
Cowboy State Daily • • science
Key Points:
- In 2025, Wyoming wind turbines killed 1,160 large birds, 9,152 small birds, and 13,423 bats, with many deaths occurring at low wind speeds when animals are less cautious around blades.
- Wyoming Game and Fish collaborates with wind project developers to assess and mitigate wildlife impacts but lacks authority to approve permits or shut down turbines; that power lies with the Industrial Siting Council.
- Emerging technologies like IdentiFlight, which uses cameras to detect birds and automatically stop turbines, and painting turbine blades black are being used to reduce bird and bat fatalities.
- Anti-wind farm activist Anne Brande expresses concern about undercounted golden eagle deaths and habitat disruption, questioning whether current mitigation efforts will sufficiently protect these key indicator species.
- Game and Fish continues to monitor wildlife impacts and advise on mitigation, but ultimate enforcement actions regarding turbine operations rest with regulatory authorities.
