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WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 8:12 am
by PYoungbaer
Here's the press release from Kentucky's Fish and Wildlife Department:

http://fw.ky.gov/newsrelease.asp?nid=1064

Tip of the helmet to local cavers. KY is one of the fronts of WNS - please clean and disinfect your gear and avoid hibernating bats.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 9:06 am
by tncaver
I get an error when I attempt to view the link.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 9:17 am
by Phil Winkler
Try it now, I edited the link. I guess they changed it.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 10:05 am
by PYoungbaer
Thanks. Yes, the link is working again now.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 11:19 am
by tncaver
Once again these caves are closed to the public yet WNS was discovered by USFWS and all were within a 20 mile radius of each other. What does that tell us? If you can't figure it out, it seems that bats must have brought the disease there since the public isn't allowed in. Of course the USFWS won't admit that will they? What is wrong with those people? :roll:

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 11:34 am
by David Grimes
Like in the case of the Iowa thread, government officials are only willing to admit that when there is money involved.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 12:32 pm
by Batgirl
Can someone please confirm how many bats tested positive from each cave? Was this just one bat from each cave or several or the whole colony?

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 1:04 pm
by PYoungbaer
Batgirl,

Not sure what you're looking for with your question. Here are the field sampling protocols for WNS for this winter:

http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/white-nose_syndrome/USGS_NWHC_Bat_WNS_submission_protocol.pdf

If they were followed, between 1-9 bats of each species tested positive for WNS.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 2:51 pm
by John Lovaas
The article mentions 3 different species in 3 different caves. I believe Lynn's question is towards the number of bats affected and/or tested in the three caves.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 3:22 pm
by Batgirl
That's exactly my question, thanks John.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 5:03 pm
by PYoungbaer
I can't speak to the number that might have appeared affected, but the number sampled would have been small, according to the submission criteria. I suggest contacting one of the KY F&W employees mentioned in the article would get you the info you seek.

I hear what you're saying, however. The release gives not context as to colony size or seriousness of the issue or progression of the disease. Contrast it with this report from New Brunswick: http://cupwire.ca/articles/51315 (Note: the article mis-states "species" when it should have said "animals" near the bottom).

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 6:36 pm
by wyandottecaver
Interesting. These are probably "caver caves" since "privately owned, not open to the public" and the mention of the Fort knox grotto leads one to expect that cavers reported it.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 7:33 pm
by tncaver
wyandottecaver wrote:Interesting. These are probably "caver caves" since "privately owned, not open to the public" and the mention of the Fort knox grotto leads one to expect that cavers reported it.


The facts Todd, just the facts. Not speculation. We need to know the facts.

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 8:13 pm
by wyandottecaver
speculation didnt seem to stop you in your post above :big grin:

Re: WNS Spreads in Kentucky

PostPosted: Feb 7, 2012 8:22 pm
by David Grimes
Isn't like 90% of WNS info out there speculation?