Transcript White-Nose Syndrome in Bats: Impacts on the National Park Service

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
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Caves and Mines in NPS Units
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85 units with caves
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4,000 caves
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126 units with mines
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3,100 mines
Carlsbad Caverns NP
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Bat Conservation Int l
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Bat Conservation Int l
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Bat Conservation Int l
Gary Berdeaux
Bats in NPS Units
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WNS Distribution and NPS Units
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WNS Impacts to NPS Units
Bat Conservation Int l
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Gary Berdeaux
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Impacts on Natural Resources
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Bats
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Other cave flora and fauna
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Ecosystem effects
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Research activities
William R. Elliot
Bat Conservation Int’l
David Mindell
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Impacts on Cave Users
Researchers
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Education
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Maintenance
Carlsbad Caverns NP
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Gary Berdeaux
Visitors
Daniel Nolfi
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Carlsbad Caverns NP
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Human Health Implications of WNS
NPS Office of Public Health statement on WNS:
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Risk to Humans is unknown but appears to be low.
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The fungus grows only at cold temperatures (41-68 degrees F)
that are much lower than that of the human body.
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No human illnesses to date have been associated with contact or
exposure to WNS-infected bats or caves.
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Additional research is necessary to further explore potential
human health risks associated with WNS.
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What NPS is Doing
Guidance to parks on cave use
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Surveillance & monitoring
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Visitor education
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Research support
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Collaboration
Daniel Nolfi
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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:
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Provide science-informed WNS management guidance
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Coordinate research efforts, disease surveillance, and data
management
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Standardize diagnostic testing
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Propose communication messages
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?
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