Research and Monitoring
Research
Captive Research
- Click here for the final report from the July 2010 captive management workshop in St. Louis, MO. (pdf - 1.92MB)
- In 2009, the Service authorized the Smithsonian National Zoo's Conservation Biology Institute near Front Royal, Va., to begin an experiment to maintain endangered Virginia big-eared bats in captivity. The Service believes such an experiment is needed to help us understand captive techniques given the rapidly spreading white-nose syndrome crisis. In light of high mortality in this captive population, the Service conducted an onsite evaluation of CBI's practices. A team of federal and state biologists and a Service veterinarian carried out a detailed examination of CBI's efforts to determine if the zoo is in compliance with a Service permit to hold these endangered bats. The team found that CBI is meeting the criteria for their permit and it is best for the surviving bats to remain at the facility. The Service acknowledges some criticism continues on how this experiment is being conducted, and is dedicated to keeping the remaining captive bats alive while learning as much as possible from this experience. Given that many eastern bat populations are declining dramatically due to white-nose syndrome, the Service will continue working with other scientists to explore the feasibility of captive propagation techniques. More information
- Memorandum of Understanding among the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources' Section and the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park (Nov. 3, 2009)
- Permit to collect and hold Virginia big-eared bats (Sept. 28, 2009)
- Virginia big-eared bat plan for controlled holding, propagation, and reintroduction, USFWS (August 20, 2009)
Protocols
Other Research
- Winifred F. Frick, D.Scott Reynolds and Thomas H. Kunz (Sept. 11, 2009) Influence of climate and reproductive timing on demography of little brown myotis Myotis lucifugus, Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 79, Issue 1, pages 128-136.
- White-Nose Syndrome Fungus (Geomyces destructans) in Bat, France Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Emerging Infectious Diseases journal, February 2010
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-funded research projects
- The Fungus - Geomyces destructans
- Winter Arousal Study
- White Nose Syndrome March, 2009 Research Status Report by Peter Youngbaer, National Speleological Society White Nose Syndrome Liaison
Web conferencing
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