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NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 25, 2012 1:31 pm
by PYoungbaer
The NSS sent a six-page letter to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Director Daniel Ashe requesting that USFWS publicly release its data and methodology for arriving at it's recent estimate of "at least 5.7 - 6.7 million" bat deaths from WNS. The NSS also provided detailed scientific data indicating why it feels the USFWS estimate is significantly higher than available research would support.

The letter is posted on the NSS' WNS website, and linked here: http://www.caves.org/WNS/Ashe_Bat_Estimate_Letter_1-24-12.pdf

A press release has been sent to various media outlets, is also posted on the website, and linked here:

http://www.caves.org/WNS/Press_Release_on_Bat_Death_Estimate.pdf

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 25, 2012 2:31 pm
by Anonymous_Coward
Thank you so much Peter for this response on our behalf. I was hoping this was coming, and figured that it would be, but did not expect such a quick response. It is a masterfully written letter containing much of what I like to call "unassailable logic". It will be interesting to hear the reply.

:clap: :bat sticker: :clap:

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 25, 2012 3:08 pm
by BrianC
Wonderful collaboration of issues we have been dealing with since day one cave closures. Glad you admonished three times the potential increase/decrease in populations for critical observations. I almost fell out of my seat when you asked them not to be lacking detail as overreactions could occur. If only they hadn't overreacted closing caves initially, they ( and many research facilities) could be conducting work toward bat research without limited funds. ( don't even think this is not true) All in all, You did fantastic Peter! Great work! Thank You! :grin:

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 25, 2012 3:23 pm
by BrianC
Peter, I would also ask for your help at this time,( with informative information available pertaining to the most negligible transmission potential of White Nose Syndrome spread from humans) get public federal, state , and local caves back open for use. I promise that you will never ever ever see any published, posted, written, or exaggerated information slandering the efforts of research and even the USFWS in understanding WNS by me! :big grin: :big grin: :big grin: :big grin: :big grin: That is some promise if you indeed see how meaningful the statement is. :shrug: :shhh:

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 25, 2012 6:15 pm
by wyandottecaver
Peter,

Again, kudos for an excelleent and well supported letter. Even more kudos for the NSS reacting in a timely manner!

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 25, 2012 6:17 pm
by tncaver
That is a good letter. I hope something good will come of it. I thoroughly agree that a government agency should be held accountable
for statements they make which can have profound affects on policy concerning the continued closure of caves both public and private.
Personally I consider their proclamation highly suspect. I have seen no evidence of any mass bat die offs in my state. Peter Youngbaer's
letter is a much needed and prompt request for proof to back up the USFWS statements concerning bat deaths.

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 26, 2012 1:49 am
by MUD
:clap: Great work Peter! :clap:

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 26, 2012 10:17 am
by Rick Brinkman
Excellent letter!!!!

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2012 12:11 pm
by KeyserSoze

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Jan 31, 2012 1:06 pm
by tncaver
Once again there seems to be considerable misrepresentation of facts in that article, starting with the very first paragraph which stated:
"A national organization of recreational cavers is questioning a new estimate of the number of bats killed by a mysterious ailment that is spreading across the country."

The NSS is a national organization of scientists and recreational cavers.

Here is another questionable statement: "The spread is epic at this point. We're halfway across the country," Froschauer said. "... We have no indication it's slowing down."

There is evidence WNS is slowing down. While WNS might not be slowing down in the NE and Canada it does seem to be slowing down the farther South it goes.

Here is another misrepresentation from the article: "The group doesn't believe the science supports the increase from a previous estimate of about 1 million dead bats."

Speaking for myself, I'm sure there are more than one million bat deaths but not 5.7 to 6.7 million. Specifically, not that many in the U.S. proper and excluding Canada. Data for Canada should not be used to dictate policy in the U.S.

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Feb 1, 2012 10:14 am
by BrianC
KeyserSoze wrote:Here's an article in response to this letter.

http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/29/2047960/cavers-question-scope-of-white.html


Look at where the article was published, Kentucky, and try to figure why Ky (be happy that the new headquarters wasn't located there). Who were the recreational cavers that the article talks about, was it Peter and the NSS? Did Ann F. have anything to do with this description?

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Feb 1, 2012 10:32 am
by tncaver
Yes. Ann Froschauer, the Fish and Wildlife spokeswoman on white nose issues

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/01/29/2047 ... rylink=cpy

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Feb 1, 2012 11:16 am
by BrianC

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Feb 1, 2012 11:18 am
by BrianC
Isn't Ann F. a member of that recreational cavers organisation?

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

PostPosted: Feb 1, 2012 1:39 pm
by tncaver
You tell me. There was no members manual this year. :laughing: