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Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis)
WHAT'S NEWNews Release (February 8, 2010): U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Wind Farm Owners Work Together
Video: The Battle for Bats: White Nose Syndrome
White-Nose Syndrome in bats: Something is killing our bats
White-nose SyndromeWhite nose syndrome (WNS) is an illness that has killed over a million bats since dead and dying bats with the distinctive "white nose" were first observed in 2006. "White nose" refers to a ring of white fungus often seen on the faces and wings of affected bats. It was first observed in a cave in New York in February 2006 and has since spread from New York caves to caves in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The condition has been found in over 25 caves and mines in the northeastern U.S. The US Fish & Wildlife Service has called for a moratorium on caving activities in the affected areas, and strongly recommends that any clothing or equipment used in such areas be decontaminated after each use.
Life History and Regulatory Information
Critical HabitatWhen a species is listed as endangered or threatened under the Endangered Species Act (Act), we must consider whether there are areas of habitat we believe are essential to the species’ conservation. Those areas may be designated as “critical habitat.” Some caves and mines have been designated as critical habitat for the Indiana bat because of their importance for hibernation. Below is information about a petition that we received to expand the critical habitat listing.
Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs)
Images
Recovery ActivitiesRecovery is the process used to restore threatened and endangered species to the point that protection under the Endangered Species Act is no longer needed. The Endangered Species Act requires that a "Recovery Plan" be prepared for every listed species and that the status of every listed species is reviewed every five years (i.e., "Five-Year Reviews").
Section 7 ConsultationUnder Section 7, the Endangered Species Act directs all Federal agencies to work to conserve endangered and threatened species and to use their authorities to further the purposes of the Act. Section 7 of the Act, called "Interagency Cooperation," is the mechanism by which Federal agencies ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do not jeopardize the existence of any listed species.
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Last updated:
February 9, 2010
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