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February 21, 2014 at 6:15 pm #2224MikeKeymaster
White-Nose Syndrome Confirmed in Arkansas
Arkansas becomes the 23rd state to confirm the deadly disease in bats.
Feb 03, 2014The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has confirmed the presence of white-nose
syndrome, a disease fatal to several bat species, in Arkansas. The disease was
documented in two northern long-eared bats found at a cave on natural area
managed by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission in Marion County.White-nose syndrome is considered to be transmitted primarily from bat to bat or
substrate to bat, but fungal spores may be inadvertently carried to caves by
humans on clothing, boots and equipment. The syndrome is not known to pose a
threat to humans, pets or livestock.A total of five dead bats were found during a Jan. 11 survey of the Marion
County cave. Two of the bats were collected and submitted to the U.S. Geological
Survey National Wildlife Health Center where it was confirmed both bats had the
fungus. Both bats had damage to wing, ear and tail membranes, which is
consistent with white-nose syndrome.Researchers returned to the cave a week after their initial survey and found 116
endangered Ozark big-eared bats, 15 northern long-eared bats and 30 tricolored
bats in the cave. No visible signs of WNS were seen on these bats. WNS is known
to impact both northern long-eared bats and tricolored bats, but has not yet
been known to harm Ozark big-eared bats. During the winter of 2012-13 an
estimated 220 Ozark big-eared bats hibernated in Arkansas caves.On Oct. 2, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed that the northern
long-eared bats receive federal protection as an endangered species. It is
considered endangered by the AGFC.Last summer a low level of the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome was
detected in two north Arkansas caves. The fungus was discovered in a cave at
Devil’s Den State Park in Washington County and a private cave located in
southern Baxter County.The fungus was found in swab samples taken from hibernating bats in February
2012 and January 2013. Tests detected DNA that indicates the fungus that causes
white-nose syndrome, which is deadly for bats, particularly in the northeastern
U.S. and Canada. The testing was part of a national study funded by the National
Science Foundation and led by researchers at University of California Santa Cruz
and Northern Arizona University to track the spread of the disease.Blake Sasse, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission’s Nongame Mammal Program
Leader said the agency had been expecting the news. “After finding out that the
fungus was present Arkansas last year, it wasn’t a surprise to confirm that
white-nose syndrome was killing bats this winter,” Sasse said.AGFC’s bat surveys are part of a national plan to manage white-nose syndrome.
“The work of AGFC provides critical data for our ongoing efforts to detect and
address the impacts of this devastating disease,” said Jonathan Reichard,
national white-nose syndrome assistant coordinator for the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service.In March 2010, the AGFC closed all caves on AGFC land and Arkansas Natural
Heritage Commission natural areas/wildlife management areas to prevent the
spread of white-nose syndrome. The AGFC encourages owners of caves on private
lands to also close their caves to public access in order to protect bats. Cave
explorers should check with land owners and property managers to check status
before visiting any cave. All cave visitors should decontaminate clothing,
footwear and equipment before and after cave visits, following national WNS
decontamination protocols.Bats with WNS may exhibit unusual behavior during cold winter months, including
flying outside during the day and clustering near the entrances of caves and
mines where they hibernate. Bats have been found sick and dying in unprecedented
numbers near affected sites. Bats play a key role in keeping insects, including
agricultural pests, mosquitoes and forest pests, under control.The disease is associated with massive bat mortality in the northeastern and
mid-Atlantic United States. Since the winter of 2006-07, bat population declines
ranging from 80 percent to 97 percent have been documented at surveyed
hibernation areas that have been most severely affected. Although exact numbers
are difficult to determine, biologists estimate that losses may exceed five
million bats since 2007.© 2014 1105 Media, Inc.Copyright 2013 1105 Media Inc. See our Privacy Policy and
Terms of Use.Source: http://eponline.com/articles/2014/02/03/white-nose-syndrome-confirmed-in-arkansas.aspx
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