White-Nose Syndrome in Bats:
Previous activities archived

August 31, 2009 (archived)

• Winter monitoring of signs of WNS in caves and mines has been completed;
• Service and state biologists are compiling data from the biennial winter count of Indiana bats;
• Bat field work during early summer 2009 includes mist-netting* to determine the presence of bats and monitoring of known maternity colonies (groups of females that raise their young together) of little brown, big brown or Indiana bats. Monitoring can vary from counting bats as they emerge at sunset to attaching radio transmitters and following their roosting and feeding behaviors *(A mist net is a grid of thin nylon strands. Set between two upright poles, it resembles a large volleyball net. Mist-netting poses minimal risk of injury to trapped bats.);
• Service and other federal biologists along with state and academic biologists attended a meeting in May 2009 hosted by Bat Conservation International to discuss potential avenues of research;
• Service, state, U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service biologists met in May 2009 to develop strategies to control the spread and minimize the impacts of WNS. We have initiated a structured decision-making process to identify potential management options that could be implemented as soon as winter 2009-2010. The initial phase of the SDM process is nearing completion, and efforts are now under way to critically evaluate all potential management actions based on the most current scientific information;
• The Service, in conjunction with many partners, is supporting experimental treatment of WNS-affected captive bats with damaged wings;
• The U.S. Geological Survey has initiated a pilot study to determine if WNS can be identified in affected vs. unaffected bats through genetic analyses;
• Service biologists and managers are working with commercial cave operators, caving groups, outing clubs, karst conservancies and others in several states, including Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, to slow the potential spread of WNS; and
• Service biologists are assisting in developing and distributing new information about WNS (e.g., WNS video at http://www.cavebiota.com/)

June 3, 2009 (archived)

• Writing proposals to secure funding for monitoring and research.
• Responding to news media and public inquiries about WNS and the March 26, 2009, cave advisory.
• Coordinating Task Groups addressing various aspects of the investigation and management of WNS work.
• Surveying additional caves/mines to track known WNS-affected sites and identify additional sites.
• Revisiting current protocols to ensure we have the most up-to-date recommendations.
• Holding regular conference calls to discuss WNS monitoring, research and management.
• Developing contracts with researchers to investigate WNS (Service activity).

April 6, 2009 (archived)

• Conducting our biennial survey (2009) of Indiana bat hibernacula throughout the species' range to assess numbers and apparent health.

February 10, 2009 (archived)

• Planning for fall 2008 swarming and pre-hibernation research;
• Sending specimens to laboratories for evaluation;
• Completing guidance for responding to the public's questions and reports as well as how to handle surveillance and site investigations resulting from those reports;
• Making plans to incorporate sampling for WNS into the regular winter 2008-2009 surveys for Indiana bats.
• Connecticut - In late July and early August 2008 in northern Fairfield County we caught bats in mist nets to check their condition. Most of the bats we examined looked fine. Their weights were good, and the wing damage we saw was consistent with normal behavior and the flight hazards bats usually encounter. Following up on radio-telemetry studies of endangered Indiana bats in New York, we attempted to locate I-bats in Connecticut but were unsuccessful;
• Nearly 100 scientists, researchers and wildlife managers gathered in Albany, N.Y., in June 2008 to exchange information about WNS and discuss hypotheses, data needs and future actions; and
• Continuing to respond to reports from the public of dead and dying bats