Animal Diseases

Bats are amazing animals and a formidable force against insect pests, but a nasty fungal disease is killing them. A coordinated national response brings hope.

Parks in the Upper Columbia Basin I&M Network conduct crucial research to determine more bats are at risk from white nose syndrome.

During recent white-tailed deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, two deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Both animals were from the Jefferson County, West Virginia portion of the park. This is the first CWD-positive detection at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.

During recent white-tailed deer herd health sampling at Pea Ridge National Military Park, the National Park Service (NPS) received positive test results for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). One male deer tested positive, which is the first CWD-positive detection within the Military Park. However, CWD has been present in Arkansas since 2016 and in Benton County since 2018.  In accordance with the park’s Deer Management Plan, the Military Park will begin deer reduction operations in the fall. Pea Ridge National Military Park and others in the region reduce deer populations to protect and restore native plants, promote healthy and diverse forests, and preserve historic landscapes, in addition to slowing wildlife disease transmission rates. There is currently no evidence that CWD can infect humans, pets, or livestock. However, it is recommended that tissues from CWD-infected animals not be eaten. The venison from the deer that tested positive for CWD was destroyed.   

This article features the Yuma myotis bat, one of numerous bat species in the Mojave Desert. The article highlights this species habitat and range, behavior, diet, reproduction and life history, the threat it faces from the disease White Nose Syndrome (WNS), why bats are important, and how the National Park Service is managing bats - including monitoring, public outreach and education, and taking action to reduce the spread of the fungus that causes WNS.

The American bullfrog is a great threat to aquatic ecosystems in the Southwest. They are voracious predators of aquatic animals and carry diseases that kill native species. We will implement three main actions in this project funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, Invasive Species Grant: bullfrog control, native species recovery and reintroduction, and development of early detection/rapid response protocols for bullfrogs.

During recent white-tailed deer reduction operations and subsequent disease sampling at Antietam and Monocacy national battlefields, the National Park Service (NPS) received positive test results for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Two deer tested positive at Antietam and one at Monocacy. These are the first CWD-positive detections for national parks in the state of Maryland. However, CWD has been present in Maryland since 2010.

Craters of the Moon hosts at least nine species of bats year-round with several others passing through the area.

Writing Prompt: Travel Blog written by Audrey Nelson for "A Day in the Life of a Fellow" Article Series. Audrey is a NPS Workforce Management Fellow, in partnership with Northwest Youth Corps

Collecting soil samples at Lost Lake which are utilized to isolate potentially beneficial, naturally occurring bacteria from the boreal toad’s environment.