U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service White-Nose Syndrome Research Grant 2015

As of April 10, 2015, WNS or evidence of the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) has been reported from at least one location in 28 states and five Canadian provinces in North America: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec. Seven North American and eleven European species of bats have been confirmed with WNS and additional five North American and two European species have been detected carrying Pd. Surveys in affected areas continue to reveal population declines associated with the disease, and evidence to date suggests that affected bat species are not likely to stabilize or recover in the immediate future.

The Service has targeted up to $1.5 million for an open funding opportunity in 2015 to investigate high priority questions about WNS that will improve our ability to manage the disease and conserve affected bats. Available funds are from internally directed Fiscal Year 2015 funds.