WYOMING — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has issued a proposal to reclassify the northern long-eared bat as endangered under the Endangered Species Act, the service announced today.
According to USFWS, the bat, currently listed as threatened, faces extinction due to the range-wide impacts of white-nose syndrome, a deadly disease affecting cave-dwelling bats across the continent.
According to The National Park Service, white-nose syndrome was first discovered in 2007 and appears as a white fuzzy growth on the nose, ears and wings of infected bats.
Scientists identified a new species of fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, as the cause. The fungus thrives in cool temperatures (40–50° F) and high humidity —conditions often found in caves and mines where bats often roost and hibernate.
The fungus grows on hairless body parts during hibernation causing skin irritation. Infected bats may leave their hibernacula—hibernation roost—to forage for insects in freezing temperatures even though few insects are present. This activity may lead to death from dehydration or starvation, or cause bats to use fat reserves needed for survival. Some infected populations have experienced nearly 100 percent mortality within a few months.
According to Wyoming Game and Fish Department, Wyoming is on the extreme western edge of the species’ range. In Wyoming, the species has only been documented in the northeastern corner of the state in the vicinity of the Bear Lodge Mountains and Black Hills.
White-nose syndrome has not been detected in Grand Teton National Park or in Yellowstone National Park. Bat monitoring in Yellowstone aims to establish baseline data ahead of any white-nose syndrome detection.
The service’s in-depth review found that white-nose syndrome is expected to affect 100% of the northern long-eared bat’s U.S. range by 2025, spreading more quickly than anticipated across the continent. Data indicate white-nose syndrome has caused estimated declines of 97 to 100% of affected northern long-eared bat populations.
“White-nose syndrome is devastating northern long-eared bats at unprecedented rates, as indicated by this science-based finding,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Director Charlie Wooley. “The Service is deeply committed to continuing our vital research with partners on reducing the impacts of white-nose syndrome while working with diverse stakeholders to conserve the northern long-eared bat and reduce impacts to landowners.”
Bats are critical to healthy, functioning ecosystems and contribute at least $3 billion annually to the U.S. agriculture economy through pest control and pollination, according to USFWS.
Endangered species are those that are currently in danger of extinction, while threatened species are defined as likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future.
The proposed reclassification, if finalized, would remove the current 4(d) rule as these rules may be applied only to threatened species. A 4(d) rule is one of the many tools of the ESA for protecting species listed as threatened. Typically, the service uses 4(d) rules to incentivize positive conservation actions and streamline the regulatory process for minor impacts.
USFWS will reach a decision by November 2022.
