NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

This is a forum intended only for discussion of White Nose Syndrome.

Moderator: Moderators

NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby PYoungbaer » Jan 25, 2012 1:31 pm

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
PYoungbaer
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 1365
Joined: Apr 30, 2008 4:04 pm
Location: Plainfield, VT
NSS #: 16161 CM FE
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Vermont Cavers Association
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby Anonymous_Coward » Jan 25, 2012 2:31 pm

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:
Andy Armstrong
American Carbide Council
User avatar
Anonymous_Coward
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 895
Joined: Feb 3, 2006 1:40 pm
Location: Inside the Beehive
NSS #: 45993RL FE
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Paha Sapa Grotto
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby BrianC » Jan 25, 2012 3:08 pm

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:
User avatar
BrianC
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: Oct 2, 2006 2:34 pm
Location: up on this here mountain
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby BrianC » Jan 25, 2012 3:23 pm

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:
User avatar
BrianC
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: Oct 2, 2006 2:34 pm
Location: up on this here mountain
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby wyandottecaver » Jan 25, 2012 6:15 pm

Peter,

Again, kudos for an excelleent and well supported letter. Even more kudos for the NSS reacting in a timely manner!
I'm not scared of the dark, it's the things IN the dark that make me nervous. :)
User avatar
wyandottecaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2902
Joined: Aug 24, 2007 8:44 pm
Location: Indiana
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby tncaver » Jan 25, 2012 6:17 pm

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.
tncaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2642
Joined: May 17, 2007 7:03 pm
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby MUD » Jan 26, 2012 1:49 am

:clap: Great work Peter! :clap:
MUD
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 1242
Joined: Mar 15, 2006 11:28 pm
Primary Grotto Affiliation: None
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby Rick Brinkman » Jan 26, 2012 10:17 am

Excellent letter!!!!
Caves are rare and precious things. Cavers...even more so. Treat each accordingly.
NSS#42385(not current...give me a reason to change...(Sept 2010))
http://www.CoffeeCreekGear.com
User avatar
Rick Brinkman
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 376
Joined: Sep 5, 2005 6:54 pm
Location: Coffee Creek, MT
Name: mt_vertcaver
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Montana-Independent
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby KeyserSoze » Jan 31, 2012 12:11 pm

This signature is really funny
User avatar
KeyserSoze
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 227
Joined: Nov 6, 2007 2:18 pm
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
NSS #: 61069
Primary Grotto Affiliation: Louisville Grotto
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby tncaver » Jan 31, 2012 1:06 pm

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.
tncaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2642
Joined: May 17, 2007 7:03 pm
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby BrianC » Feb 1, 2012 10:14 am

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?
User avatar
BrianC
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: Oct 2, 2006 2:34 pm
Location: up on this here mountain
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby tncaver » Feb 1, 2012 10:32 am

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
tncaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2642
Joined: May 17, 2007 7:03 pm
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby BrianC » Feb 1, 2012 11:16 am

User avatar
BrianC
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: Oct 2, 2006 2:34 pm
Location: up on this here mountain
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby BrianC » Feb 1, 2012 11:18 am

Isn't Ann F. a member of that recreational cavers organisation?
User avatar
BrianC
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2061
Joined: Oct 2, 2006 2:34 pm
Location: up on this here mountain
  

Re: NSS Questions USFWS on Bat Death Estimate

Postby tncaver » Feb 1, 2012 1:39 pm

You tell me. There was no members manual this year. :laughing:
tncaver
NSS Hall Of Fame Poster
 
Posts: 2642
Joined: May 17, 2007 7:03 pm
  

Next

Return to White Nose Syndrome (WNS)

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

cron