Late Winter Update
March 15, 2009

The winter of 2008-2009 has not been kind to bats. White Nose Syndrome (named for the tell-tale fuzzy white fungus that grows on sick bats' noses) has continued to spread. Bats are essentially starving to death. Affected bat populations continue to decline, and WNS has reached the margins of habitat of previously unaffected species, raising concerns about what will come next.

Al Hicks' PowerPoint gives a good history and explanation of WNS. (link here). It can be downloaded for showing at your grotto or to the public to help spread the word.

From where it was first noticed in Howe's Cave, NY in 2006, it spread to many other NY caves and mines, and sites in VT, MA, and CT by the end of last winter. This winter, sites in PA, NJ, NH, WVA, and VA have now been confirmed, plus new sites in the previously affected states. Caving has been severely affected. Events, such as the large Crawlathon at Carter Caves, KY, were canceled. Virginia caving organizations and the state issued a call for a moratorium on caving (see press release here).

With major regional caving events on the horizon, and the NSS Convention and International Congress on Speleology scheduled for July in Texas, lots more people are asking lots more questions as WNS has spread from the northeast. It is now clearly affecting caving nationally. Event planners are posting warnings about WNS, and advice on properly preparing for cleaning and decontaminating gear, including not bringing gear used in one part of the country or world to another.

We attempt to keep up with the breaking news by postings on this web site, including our Media Digest (link here), and will continue to do so.

We certainly urge all cavers to abide by any local moratorium and cave closures. In general, we should not be entering caves with hibernating bats, particularly as they near the end of hibernation when they are weakest. For bats with WNS, any additional disturbance could mean the difference between life and death.

We also urge all cavers to adhere to the USFWS protocols on cleaning and decontamination (link here). We are working with them to update, revise, and clarify the guidelines to ensure they are effective, yet protect safe caving.

Especially for this update, we have prepared a detailed Special Report on the status of all the ongoing WNS research. With the end of this year's hibernation near, researchers have been working frantically to get field research done before the bats emerge, or die. On February 20, there was a national conference on WNS by webinar, where all the researchers presented progress reports Cavers have frequently asked for more detail, and we are happy to present that to you now. (Read the full report here).

Scientists still do not know the cause of WNS. We do know that bats are essentially starving to death. Much of the research has been geared toward testing the hypotheses identified last June at the Science Strategy Conference (read those proceedings here). Our report lets you know what has been learned, and what is still unknown.

We also encourage you to read our report to the NSS President and Board of Governors for more details about the work of the Liaison (read the report here).

Finally, for those attending the ICS/NSS Convention this summer, there will be a special meeting on White Nose Syndrome. Watch the schedule for details.

Most importantly, we urge you to donate to the WNS Rapid Response Fund. The NSS has made a big difference by supporting research, but this can only continue with your financial support. (donate here).

Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding WNS via e-mail at wnsliaison@caves.org.

Peter Youngbaer
NSS 16161
WNS Liaison

RESOURCES

NEW- NSS WNS Policy Statement (HTML) (4/8/09)

 Media Accounts (HTML)
Up-to-the minute articles appearing in online news media. (4/1/09)

 WNS Scientific Research Summary and Status (3/15/09) (PDF)

Published research on WNS-related fungus (HTML) (10/31/08)

Albany WNS Science Strategy Conference Proceedings (PDF) (10/20/08)

Wing Damage Index for Assessing WNS-affected bats (PDF) (10/1/08)

 WNS Liaison Report to the NSS President
(HTML) Progress, Plans, & Problems (3/15/09)

WNS: Background & Current Status (PowerPoint)
A slide-show by Alan Hicks of the NY Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Updated WNS presentation with distribution maps, information on spring emergence and expanded information on the effects of WNS (11/29/08)

 US Fish & Wildlife WNS Page (HTML)
Includes FAQ, caving precautions, and video. (3/26/09)

DC Grotto WNS page (HTML)
Info and articles compiled and vetted by Bob Hoke. (3/26/09)

Bat Conservation and Management WNS Page
(HTML)
Includes video of a sampling trip to Aeolus Bat Cave (3/4/09)

Bat Conservation International (HTML)
Scientists Target 'Greatest Threat' to Bats (3/1/09)

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Click here for a pdf map that shows both known and suspected WNS outbreaks AND all known hibernacula in the East.

WNS ARCHIVES
A historical record of information
previously posted to this site.