Paraguana moustached bat

There is uncertainty if this taxa represents a species, or if it is a subspecies of Parnell's mustached bat.[1] Based on morphology, the bats were elevated from a subspecies to a species in 2008.[3] The status of the bat as a full species was affirmed by genetic sequencing.[4]

Cave gate in Cuevas de Paraguaná Wildlife Sanctuary

In their 2008 assessment, the IUCN listed the Paraguana moustached bat as critically endangered.[1] The 2016 assessment, however, downlisted them to endangered.[1] In 2013, Bat Conservation International listed this species as one of the 35 species of its worldwide priority list of conservation.[5] In 2015, Bat Conservation International began fundraising for bat detectors to better survey the critical habitat necessary for the species' survival.[6] The species is especially threatened by intentional destruction by humans; in 1997, thousands of dead bats were found in one of the caves after locals set tires on fire at the cave entrance.[3] Some Venezuelans mistakenly believe that all bats are vampire bats, and should therefore be exterminated.[3] To reduce vandalism and protect the bats, a gate was installed in 2003 at the entrance of one of the caves, with gaps large enough for bats to come and go, but too small for human passage.[3] After the gate was installed, the number of bats using the cave "substantially increased".[3]