White-nose Syndrome Monitoring in Bats
White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans and affects hibernating bats. First documented in New York during the winter of 2006-2007, WNS is responsible for more than 5.5 million bat deaths in the Northeastern U.S. and Canada.
WNS exhibits itself as a white fungus growing on the muzzle of infected bats, hence the name White-nose Syndrome. The fungus can also grow on and affect wing and ear tissue. To date, 29 states and 5 Canadian provinces are considered WNS - positive, including Tennessee, and the fungus has been documented in three additional states. Large numbers of cave bats are being impacted in Tennessee. There are over 10,000 caves within the state increasing the challenges of assessing impacts of WNS to bats in Tennessee. WNS has been documented in 52 of the 78 Tennessee counties that have caves.
TWRA has responded to this threat in several ways. First, the TWRA is a member of the WNS Advisory Council of Tennessee. This council is comprised of biologists and researchers from multiple state and federal agencies, non-government agencies, and researchers from numerous academic institutions from across the state who meet annually to discuss the current status of WNS in the state, prioritize and schedule cave surveys to monitor bats and impacts from WNS, and to discuss and coordinate bat and WNS research throughout the state. Secondly, TWRA biologists and wildlife diversity personnel participate in the Tennessee Bat Working Group (TNBWG), an organization created in 2004 to help conserve bat species in the Southeastern U.S. The TNBWG meets annually and researchers from across Tennessee and adjoining states present the results of research conducted in the state or give information regarding species of bats found in the state.
To date multiple tools are being developed that may allow options to combat this deadly epidemic. Since the discovery of WNS in Tennessee, biologists have implemented surveys and research projects to gauge the impacts of WNS. In an effort to minimize human spread of the fungus, TWRA and other participants adhere to a strict gear decontamination protocol when working with bats in caves and on the landscape. Despite controversy, the TWRA made the decision to close all agency-owned caves to public access in 2012. The closure is an attempt to limit the spread of WNS due to contaminated clothing and gear. Finally, the TWRA provides funding and personnel to support ongoing research and education.
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