Post by Greg Stamper on May 9, 2013 6:44:18 GMT -5
For Immediate Release
Media Contacts:
Sandi Kilpatrick, Daniel Boone National Forest, 859-745-3100
Sunni L. Carr, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1-800-858-1549
White-nose syndrome found in Daniel Boone National Forest
WINCHESTER, Ky., May 2, 2013 – A deadly fungal disease affecting millions of bats throughout eastern North America has spread to the Daniel Boone National Forest.
White-nose syndrome (WNS), named for the white fungus that appears on the muzzle and other body parts, was found on hibernating bats in six caves within the national forest. Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources confirmed laboratory findings of the disease.
WNS was first detected in New York in 2006. Since that time, the disease has rapidly spread across the eastern United States as far west as Missouri and into Canada. An estimated 5.7 to 6.7 million bats have died.
Geomyces destructans, the fungus responsible for the syndrome, has been found on nine species of bats. The disease itself has been confirmed in seven species.
“We surveyed a total of 38 bat hibernation caves in the forest this past winter, and white-nose syndrome was confirmed in six of these caves in three separate counties,” said Forest Biologist Sandra Kilpatrick with the DBNF. “We found bats in Jackson, Rockcastle and Pulaski counties that tested positive for the disease.”
There are no reported human illnesses attributed to WNS. People can spread the fungus, however, if entering caves that contain the fungal spores and failing to decontaminate their gear.
All non-commercial caves on national forest land in the eastern U.S. are currently closed to the public due to WNS. Both state and federal agencies have taken measures to limit spread of the disease. These measures include surveillance, monitoring and cave closures.
Citizens are asked to report dead or dying bats or bats exhibiting strange behavior at fw.ky.gov/app/BatReport.aspx. Strange behavior may include bats observed on the ground and unable to fly, roosting on the outside of buildings during daylight, or erratically flying into objects.
Nearly 60 Kentucky caves were monitored for WNS during the winter.
For more information about white-nose syndrome, visit www.whitenosesyndrome.org/. For a map that shows current spread of the disease, go to www.whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map.
Attention Media: According to recent studies, the loss of bat populations in the United States will likely have an economic impact on the agricultural industry. Insect-eating bats consume vast amounts of insects, including those that damage crops.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110331142212.htm
Kimberly Morgan
Public Affairs Specialist
Daniel Boone National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391
859-745-3107
Media Contacts:
Sandi Kilpatrick, Daniel Boone National Forest, 859-745-3100
Sunni L. Carr, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 1-800-858-1549
White-nose syndrome found in Daniel Boone National Forest
WINCHESTER, Ky., May 2, 2013 – A deadly fungal disease affecting millions of bats throughout eastern North America has spread to the Daniel Boone National Forest.
White-nose syndrome (WNS), named for the white fungus that appears on the muzzle and other body parts, was found on hibernating bats in six caves within the national forest. Officials with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources confirmed laboratory findings of the disease.
WNS was first detected in New York in 2006. Since that time, the disease has rapidly spread across the eastern United States as far west as Missouri and into Canada. An estimated 5.7 to 6.7 million bats have died.
Geomyces destructans, the fungus responsible for the syndrome, has been found on nine species of bats. The disease itself has been confirmed in seven species.
“We surveyed a total of 38 bat hibernation caves in the forest this past winter, and white-nose syndrome was confirmed in six of these caves in three separate counties,” said Forest Biologist Sandra Kilpatrick with the DBNF. “We found bats in Jackson, Rockcastle and Pulaski counties that tested positive for the disease.”
There are no reported human illnesses attributed to WNS. People can spread the fungus, however, if entering caves that contain the fungal spores and failing to decontaminate their gear.
All non-commercial caves on national forest land in the eastern U.S. are currently closed to the public due to WNS. Both state and federal agencies have taken measures to limit spread of the disease. These measures include surveillance, monitoring and cave closures.
Citizens are asked to report dead or dying bats or bats exhibiting strange behavior at fw.ky.gov/app/BatReport.aspx. Strange behavior may include bats observed on the ground and unable to fly, roosting on the outside of buildings during daylight, or erratically flying into objects.
Nearly 60 Kentucky caves were monitored for WNS during the winter.
For more information about white-nose syndrome, visit www.whitenosesyndrome.org/. For a map that shows current spread of the disease, go to www.whitenosesyndrome.org/resources/map.
Attention Media: According to recent studies, the loss of bat populations in the United States will likely have an economic impact on the agricultural industry. Insect-eating bats consume vast amounts of insects, including those that damage crops.
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110331142212.htm
Kimberly Morgan
Public Affairs Specialist
Daniel Boone National Forest
1700 Bypass Road
Winchester, KY 40391
859-745-3107