About white-nose syndrome
Previously common species throughout the northeastern United States are presently at risk of regional extirpation or extinction due to white-nose syndrome.
White-nose syndrome affects cave hibernating bats throughout eastern North America and adjacent Canada. This fatal disease continues to cause mass mortality and precipitous population declines. Current morbidity estimates approach 7 million, impacting > 200 hibernacula within 28 states and five Canadian provinces. Currently, white-nose syndrome affects at least seven species of hibernating insectivorous bats. Previously common species throughout the northeastern United States are presently at risk of regional extirpation or extinction due to white-nose syndrome. Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of white-nose syndrome, thrives at temperatures of 3-15 ℃ and > 90% relative humidity, conditions equivalent to bat hibernacula and bodies of hibernating bats. P. destructans affects bats by increasing the frequency and duration of arousals from the torpor of hibernation.
Characteristics of white-nose syndrome include cutaneous lesions on the flight membranes; white fungus evident on the muzzles, wings, and ears; and aberrant behavior. Abnormal activity may include bats flying outside at temperatures at or below freezing; bats clustering near hibernacula entrances; and deceased or moribund bats on the ground or on buildings, trees, or other structures.
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Reporting
Support critical efforts to monitor the expansion of white-nose syndrome and protect North American bats.
Contact your state wildlife agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service biologists at WhiteNoseBats@fws.gov, or your nearest Service field office to report potential white-nose syndrome observations, including dead bats and/or abnormal behavior (e.g. flying during hibernation period, December through March; daytime activity; bats unable to fly).
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Contact info
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Species at Risk Biologist
Alberta Environment and Parks
780 723 8556
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Dr. Helen Schwantje
250 751 3234
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Dr. Purnima Govindarajulu
Purnima.Govindarajulu@gov.bc.ca
250 387 9755
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855 922 2287
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Scott Osborn
Statewide Coordinator, Small Mammal Conservation California Department of Fish and Wildlife scott.osborn@wildlife.ca.gov
916 324 356402.
Dr. Deana Clifford
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Please report dead bat(s) to Colorado Parks and Wildlife
wildlife.batline@state.co.us
303 291 7771
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Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
Wildlife Division
406 444 7320
Wildlife Health Lab
406 994 6357
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Marikay Ramsey
BLM New Mexico State Office
marikayr@blm.gov
505 603 8537
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James Stuart
New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
james.stuart@state.nm.us
505 476 8107
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North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Wildlife Division
701 328 6300
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Provincial Wildlife Health Specialist
Ministry of Environment
306 933 5406
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Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
512 389 4505
For large numbers of dead bats
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Kills and Spills Team
512 389 4848
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Wyoming Game and Fish
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