White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

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White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

• Impacts on the National Park Service Mission
• Dr. Herbert C. Frost
• Associate Director
• Natural Resource Stewardship and Science

Elaine Leslie Deputy Chief, Operations Biological
Resource Management Division
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
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Caves and Mines in NPS Units

• 85 units with caves
• 4,000 caves
• 126 units with mines
• 3,100 mines

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Carlsbad Caverns NP
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Bats in NPS Units
Gary Berdeaux
Bat Conservation Intl
Bat Conservation Intl
Bat Conservation Intl
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
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WNS Distribution and NPS Units
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
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WNS Impacts to NPS Units
Bat Conservation Intl
Gary Berdeaux
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
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Impacts on Natural Resources

• Bats
• Other cave flora and fauna
• Ecosystem effects
• Research activities

William R. Elliot
David Mindell
Bat Conservation Intl
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
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Impacts on Cave Users
Daniel Nolfi

• Visitors
• Researchers
• Education
• Maintenance

Carlsbad Caverns NP
Gary Berdeaux
Carlsbad Caverns NP
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
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Human Health Implications of WNS

• NPS Office of Public Health statement on WNS
• Risk to Humans is unknown but appears to be low.
  
• The fungus grows only at cold temperatures (41-68
  degrees F) that are much lower than that of the
  human body.
• No human illnesses to date have been associated
  with contact or exposure to WNS-infected bats or
  caves.
• Additional research is necessary to further
  explore potential human health risks associated
  with WNS.

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
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What NPS is Doing

• Guidance to parks on cave use
• Surveillance monitoring
• Visitor education
• Research support
• Collaboration

Daniel Nolfi
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A
Kevin T. Castle
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National Plan for WNS

• A collaborative effort led by Department of the
  Interior with other Federal, State, Tribal
  agencies to
• Provide science-informed WNS management guidance
• Coordinate research efforts, disease
  surveillance, and data management
• Standardize diagnostic testing
• Propose communication messages

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Issues

• Ongoing investigation time is of the essence
• Complex coordination needs
• Control presents biological and social challenges
• Two listed species vulnerable now
• Potential to impact 25 of 40 N. Am. bat species
• Future litigation and/or petitions likely
• Grassroots interest in bat conservation

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Thank You
Questions?
E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A