E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

White-Nose Syndrome in White-Nose Syndrome in BatsBats

Impacts on the National Park Service Impacts on the National Park Service MissionMission

Dr. Herbert C. FrostDr. Herbert C. FrostAssociate DirectorAssociate Director

Natural Resource Stewardship and ScienceNatural Resource Stewardship and Science

Elaine LeslieDeputy 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 AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Caves and Mines in NPS Caves and Mines in NPS UnitsUnits

85 units with caves85 units with caves

4,000 caves 4,000 caves

126 units with mines126 units with mines

3,100 mines3,100 mines

Carlsbad Caverns NP

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Bats in NPS UnitsBats in NPS Units

Gar

y B

erde

aux

Bat C

onservation Int’l

Bat C

onservation Int’l

Bat

Con

serv

atio

n In

t’l

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

WNS Distribution and NPS WNS Distribution and NPS UnitsUnits

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

WNS Impacts to NPS UnitsWNS Impacts to NPS Units

Gary

Berdeaux

Bat

Con

serv

atio

n In

t’l

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Impacts on Natural ResourcesImpacts on Natural Resources

BatsBats

Other cave flora and Other cave flora and faunafauna

Ecosystem effects Ecosystem effects

Research activitiesResearch activities

David Mindell

Bat

Con

serv

atio

n In

t’l

William R. Elliot

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Impacts on Cave UsersImpacts on Cave Users

VisitorsVisitors

ResearchersResearchers

EducationEducation

MaintenanceMaintenance

Gar

y B

erde

aux

Carlsbad C

averns NP

Daniel N

olfi

Car

lsba

d C

aver

ns N

P

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Human Health Implications of Human Health Implications of WNSWNS

NPS Office of Public Health statement on WNS:NPS Office of Public Health statement on WNS:

Risk to Humans is unknown but appears to be low. Risk to Humans is unknown but appears to be low.

The fungus grows only at cold temperatures (41-68 The fungus grows only at cold temperatures (41-68 degrees F) that are much lower than that of the human degrees F) that are much lower than that of the human body. body.

No human illnesses to date have been associated with No human illnesses to date have been associated with contact or exposure to WNS-infected bats or caves. contact or exposure to WNS-infected bats or caves.

Additional research is necessary to further explore Additional research is necessary to further explore potential human health risks associated with WNS.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 AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

What NPS is DoingWhat NPS is Doing Guidance to parks on cave Guidance to parks on cave

useuse

Surveillance & monitoringSurveillance & monitoring

Visitor educationVisitor education

Research supportResearch support

CollaborationCollaboration

Kevin T

. Castle

Daniel N

olfi

National Plan for WNSNational Plan for WNS

A collaborative effort led by Department of the Interior A collaborative effort led by Department of the Interior with other Federal, State, Tribal agencies to:with other Federal, State, Tribal agencies to:

Provide science-informed WNS management Provide science-informed WNS management guidanceguidance

Coordinate research efforts, disease surveillance, Coordinate research efforts, disease surveillance, and data managementand data management

Standardize diagnostic testingStandardize diagnostic testing

Propose communication messagesPropose communication messages

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

IssuesIssues

• Ongoing investigation – time is of the essenceOngoing investigation – time is of the essence

• Complex coordination needsComplex coordination needs

• Control presents biological and social challengesControl presents biological and social challenges

• Two listed species vulnerable nowTwo listed species vulnerable now

• Potential to impact 25 of 40 N. Am. bat speciesPotential to impact 25 of 40 N. Am. bat species

• Future litigation and/or petitions likelyFuture litigation and/or petitions likely

• Grassroots interest in bat conservationGrassroots interest in bat conservation

E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C AE X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

Thank You

Questions?