NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
June 19, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 273
For more information contact Holly Niederriter, Division of Fish & Wildlife, 302-653-2888 or 302-739-9912, or Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Seeking public input, DNREC monitors bat population
for White-nose Syndrome not yet found in Delaware
Delaware environmental officials are closely monitoring the state’s bat populations for any occurrence here of White-nose Syndrome (WNS), a disease that has caused mass mortality—in some cases as much as 100 percent attrition—at hibernation sites in northeastern states. While WNS has not been detected in Delaware, as many as 1 million bats so far have died from the disease, most of them in states with caves and mines that bats colonize when hibernating.
Only bat species that overwinter communally are known to be affected by WNS, but those include some of the more common bats, such as the little brown bat, big brown bat, and the tri-colored bat (formerly known as the eastern pipistrelle). Northern long-eared bats, small-footed bats and the federally-endangered Indiana bat also have been affected. WNS was first discovered three years ago near Albany, N.Y. and has since been found to have killed bats in nine states.
Neither the mechanism that spreads the disease nor cause of White-Nose Syndrome has yet been proven. The namesake white fungus found on bats’ noses (as well as their wings, ears and tail) could be the cause or the result of another malady. Not all affected bats show the fungus, which may travel as unseen spores for hundreds of miles with the migrating bats. WNS could also be triggered by some kind of intrusion that thwarts the bats’ immune system and hinders their ability to fight off the fungus or other pathogens. There have been no reported human illnesses attributed to WNS, but research about the bats and any risk for human contact with affected bats continues across a wide spectrum of science, medicine and academia.
Meanwhile, Delaware wildlife biologists are collecting information to aid in assessing the status of the disease and its effect on bat populations in the states such as Delaware that have no caves or underground mines. Public input is enthusiastically sought in gathering this information, said wildlife biologist Holly Niederriter of DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife. “Although we don’t expect to see any of the symptoms associated with hibernating bats – such as fungus on the face, wings or tail, or unusual winter behavior – we could see an increased number of dead or sick bats or depressed population sizes in Delaware,” Niederriter said.
The public is asked to use a new online reporting application if large number of dead bats (five or more) are seen in one location, or if a similar number of bats are seen flying in the middle of the day or clinging low on structures. Input can be given by accessing http://www.fw.delaware.gov/bats/ and by clicking on the online reporting form. Seeing one or two bats out during the day or clinging to the side of a house is not unusual, and need not be reported.
The online reporting form also enables documenting of Delaware’s summer bat colonies and where they are located. If you have observed, or know where large numbers of bats (50 or more) are roosting, please use the reporting form to document it. In Delaware, bats are more likely to use barns, attics, bridge beams and abandoned buildings for roosting and raising their young.
Also: DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife will soon initiate a volunteer bat count project and will issue a call for volunteers when it’s ready to begin.
For more information, please call Holly Niederriter of the Delaware Division of Fish & Wildlife at 302-653-2880.
