Seeking Funds to Save Bats

AWI joined 44 other organizations on a letter asking Congress to provide $7.5 million in funding to the many agencies responding to white-nose syndrome (WNS), the disease that is decimating North America’s bat populations, including several endangered species. As of June 2013, the disease was known to be present in 22 states and five Canadian provinces, and has already killed at least 5.7 million bats. The letter acknowledges the support Congress has provided since the outbreak started and notes that progress has been made in understanding the basic science of WNS, but asserts that robust funding is sorely needed for resource management and disease containment, prevention, and treatment. AWI also addressed this issue in testimony it submitted to the House and Senate Interior appropriations subcommittees.