WNS Confirmed in Alabama
David Riggs
Alabama's Russel Cave, marking the first known occurrence of the
disease in Alabama, and a new southernmost extent of the disease.
- DR
Alabama DCNR Press Release:
http://www.outdooralabama.com/news/release.cfm?ID=1018
White-nose syndrome (WNS), the disease that has killed millions of
bats in eastern North America, has been confirmed in bats in the
Russell Cave complex in Jackson County, marking the arrival of the
disease in Alabama.
“White-nose syndrome had been confirmed in several counties in
Tennessee, but had yet to be discovered in Alabama until this year,”
said Keith Hudson, a biologist with the Alabama Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources. “This disease is likely one of the
most significant disease threats to bat populations in Alabama due to
its potential to affect multiple bat species and the devastating
nature of the affliction. This disease is not known to affect humans.”
Although scientists have yet to fully understand white-nose syndrome,
research has demonstrated the disease is caused by a newly discovered
fungus, Geomyces destructans, which often grows into white tufts on
the muzzles of infected bats, giving the disease its name. White-nose
syndrome was first detected in New York state in 2006 and has killed
more than 5.5 million cave dwelling bats in eastern North America.
Mortality rates of bats have reached almost 100 percent in multi-year
infected caves. With the discovery of WNS in Alabama, a total of 17
states and four Canadian Provinces have now been confirmed with the
disease. This finding in Alabama represents the southern-most
occurrence of WNS in North America.
On March 1, 2012, a team of surveyors from Alabama A&M University and
the National Park Service, coordinated by the Alabama Bat Working
Group, were conducting a bat survey in Russell Cave in Jackson County
where they saw numerous bats displaying symptomatic white patches of
fungus on their skin. Two tri-colored bats and tissue samples from a
Northern long-eared bat from the cave were sent to the Southeastern
Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study unit at the University of Georgia
for testing, which confirmed the presence of white-nose syndrome. The
Russell Cave complex is a cave system that spans several miles of cave
passage, including entrances on private property, and Russell Cave
National Monument is managed by the National Park Service.
“The National Park Service has been working closely with state and
federal agencies and has implemented protection protocols to try and
limit the spread of this deadly disease,” said John Bundy,
Superintendent of Russell Cave National Monument. “Although the cave
system has been closed for 10 years, access to the park’s
archeological site remains open.”
“We have worked closely with Alabama Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources and the Alabama Bat Working Group to prepare for
white-nose syndrome,” said Mike Armstrong, USFWS Regional WNS
Coordinator. “Now that it is confirmed here, we will continue to work
with the state and our federal partners in their research and
management of the disease.”
WNS is known to be transmitted primarily from bat to bat, but fungal
spores may be inadvertently carried to caves by humans on clothing and
caving gear. Cave visitors are encouraged to check with landowners
before entering any caves or mines, and to follow U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service decontamination protocols to reduce the risk of human
assisted transport of fungal spores.
Bats are an important part of our nation’s ecosystems, and provide
significant pest control services to American farmers. Insectivorous
bats likely save the U.S. agricultural industry at least $3 billion
dollars each year, or approximately $74 per acre for the average
farmer. Alabama is home to 15 species of bats, including federally
listed endangered Gray and Indiana bats.
White-nose syndrome does not pose a threat to humans, pets or
livestock. Physical signs associated with WNS are a white fungus on
the bat’s nose, wings, ears or tail membrane, although affected bats
do not always have visible fungus. Bats afflicted with WNS often
exhibit unusual behavior in winter, including clustering near
hibernacula entrances. Affected bats also may leave their hibernacula
during the day and may be observed flying or clinging to rocks outside
or on nearby buildings. Dead or dying bats are often found on the
ground near affected areas. To report unusual bat activity persons can
use the Alabama Bat Working Group’s website at:
http://alabamabatwg.wordpress.com/report-a-bat/ .
For more information about white-nose syndrome, visit
http://www.fws.gov/whitenosesyndrome .
For more information about bats in Alabama, visit
http://www.outdooralabama.com/watchable-wildlife/what/mammals/Bats/ or
http://alabamabatwg.wordpress.com/ .
For more information about Russell Cave National Monument, visit
http://www.nps.gov/ruca/index.htm
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources promotes
wise stewardship, management and enjoyment of Alabama’s natural
resources through five divisions: Marine Police, Marine Resources,
State Lands, State Parks, and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. To
learn more about ADCNR, visit www.outdooralabama.com .
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David A. Riggs
Myotisoft, LLC
463 Oak Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
http://www.myotisoft.com
dri...@myotisoft.com
(304) 685-7537