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USFWS provides $1 million to combat bat-killing WNS

USFWS provides $1 million to combat bat-killing WNS

By FWS News

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing much needed support in the fight against the bat-killing fungal disease white-nose syndrome (WNS) through an additional $1 million in grants to 39 states and the District of Columbia.

WNS has killed millions of North American bats in recent years, decimating many populations and putting several species at risk of extinction.

Bats are crucial to farmers and foresters, helping control pest insects such as beetles and locusts, and significantly reducing the amount of toxic pesticides that would otherwise be needed. Studies estimate bats save farmers at least $3.7 billion per year in lost crop revenue and pesticide savings.

Funds will help states support a national strategy for the disease, which includes increasing bat survival rates, preventing further spread and preparing for the potential arrival of the disease in new areas.

This year’s grants bring the total funding to states for WNS response over the last eight years to $8 million. The financial support is part of the cooperative and international effort involving more than 100 state, federal, tribal, academic and nonprofit partners.

First discovered in New York in the winter of 2006-2007, the WNS fungus has now spread to at least 36 states and seven Canadian provinces and infects nine of the top 10 agricultural producing states.

Funds may be used to support activities addressing WNS including response planning, population monitoring, sample collection for disease surveillance, containment, and outreach and support of research, such as experimental treatment research funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Bats for the Future Fund.

Additional information about WNS is available here.

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