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Wildlife Health
White-Nose Syndrome
White-nose syndrome was first observed in four caves near Albany, New York, in the winter of 2006–2007. Before the onset of the disease, decades of winter surveys for hibernating bats that occur in New York indicated healthy and increasing populations. Since 2007, white-nose syndrome has spread more than 2,300 kilometers (1,400 mi) through 13 additional states and devastated populations of bats in its path. As of July 2010, WNS has been confirmed as far west as the panhandle of Oklahoma. Overall declines of hibernating colonies at the most closely monitored New York sites reached 75% within two to three years of initial detection. As of summer 2010, white-nose syndrome has been detected in nine species of hibernating bats.
Photo by Ryan Von Linden, NY DEC
In summer 2009, scientists identified a previously unknown species of cold-loving fungus (Geomyces destructans) as a consistent pathogen causing skin infection in bats at affected sites. This fungus thrives in low temperatures (5–14ºC; 40–55ºF) and high levels of humidity (>90%), conditions that are characteristic of the bodies of hibernating bats and the caves and mines in which they hibernate. Chronic disturbance of hibernating bats can cause high rates of mortality through loss of fat and possibly water, and effects associated with skin infection by G. destructans may also cause bats to consume critical fat and water reserves during winter.
More than half of the species of insectivorous bats that occur in the U.S. rely on hibernation as their primary strategy for surviving the winter, when insect prey is not available. Four endangered species and subspecies of bats in the U.S. rely on undisturbed caves or mines for successful hibernation, and all four of these species (Indiana, Gray, Virginia big-eared and Ozark big-eared bats) hibernate/reside within the WNS affected area. Although the potential for the cold-adapted fungus to continue spreading is currently unknown, the implications of it undermining the survival strategy of so many bat species are enormous. We are just beginning to appreciate the roles bats play in North American ecosystems, and the impact of WNS on bat populations. We need to further understand its potential to influence ecosystem function, for example through cascading effects on bat prey abundance.
WNS and the National Park Service
Since spring 2009, the NPS Wildlife Health Program (WHP; Biological Resource Management Division) has led an NPS white-nose syndrome working group made up of cave and bat ecologists, regional biologists, and a park superintendent. The primary objectives of the working group are to disseminate information among parks and regions and to help interpret general management recommendations made by non-NPS agencies in light of NPS policies. The WHP remains involved in interagency working groups, including a team developing national guidance on white-nose syndrome.
In February 2009, three dead bats found near an abandoned mine at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area in Pennsylvania were submitted for WNS testing and were positive for G. destructans and white-nose syndrome. In early April 2010, bats from Great Smoky Mountains National Park tested positive for the fungus, and in May 2010 the fungus was detected on a Gray bat from Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Despite the proximity of a number of additional park units to WNS-positive hibernacula (see map), DEWA, GRSM, and OZAR are the only sites in the National Park System with bats that have tested positive for white-nose syndrome or the associated fungus.
On 17 April 2009 NPS-WASO issued an Acting Deputy Director’s guidance memo concerning white-nose syndrome in the national parks to help clarify the NPS position. The primary messages of that memorandum and subsequent recommendations are that field-based staffs continue to make WNS management decisions based on the best science available and in accordance with the NPS mission, policies, and park enabling legislation, and that efforts be made to limit the human-assisted spread of WNS into NPS units. In July 2010, the WASO guidance will be updated regarding closure of caves and mines, which may consist of physical closure (e.g. gates), signage, and/or educational materials at visitor contact sites, including visitor centers and web pages. In addition, the memo will update guidance on clothing and gear that can enter NPS caves or mines, as well as information regarding clothing and gear disinfection and dedication. The BRMD WHP is coordinating NPS WNS research, surveillance, and bat monitoring activities, in order to maintain a cohesive NPS response to this issue, and to maintain communication with other federal and state agencies.