Why should we care about wildlife disease? | Craig Willis | TEDxUniversityofWinnipeg

I’m gonna start with a question I’m a

I’m gonna start with a question I’m a wildlife biologist I’m gonna start by

wildlife biologist I’m gonna start by

wildlife biologist I’m gonna start by well I think it’s not breaking news to

well I think it’s not breaking news to

well I think it’s not breaking news to most of us that lots of wild animal

most of us that lots of wild animal

most of us that lots of wild animal populations around the world are in big

populations around the world are in big

populations around the world are in big trouble and we probably have some

trouble and we probably have some

trouble and we probably have some preconceived notions about what human

preconceived notions about what human

preconceived notions about what human impacts are the worst for a wildlife

impacts are the worst for a wildlife

impacts are the worst for a wildlife high on the list would be chemical

high on the list would be chemical

high on the list would be chemical pollution including carbon pollution

pollution including carbon pollution

pollution including carbon pollution climate change has caused big impacts on

climate change has caused big impacts on

climate change has caused big impacts on all sorts of wild animals and obviously

all sorts of wild animals and obviously

all sorts of wild animals and obviously on people habitat loss is another big

on people habitat loss is another big

on people habitat loss is another big one human activities have have caused

one human activities have have caused

one human activities have have caused devastating impacts on all sorts of

devastating impacts on all sorts of

devastating impacts on all sorts of habitats of wildlife from forests to

habitats of wildlife from forests to

habitats of wildlife from forests to grasslands to coral reefs but one that

grasslands to coral reefs but one that

grasslands to coral reefs but one that me might not think about and which my

me might not think about and which my

me might not think about and which my students and I are especially interested

students and I are especially interested

students and I are especially interested in are the human impacts on infectious

in are the human impacts on infectious

in are the human impacts on infectious diseases of wildlife lots of animals all

diseases of wildlife lots of animals all

diseases of wildlife lots of animals all animals have lots of pathogens and

animals have lots of pathogens and

animals have lots of pathogens and parasites that can impact them but

parasites that can impact them but

parasites that can impact them but humans in lots of ways can make those

humans in lots of ways can make those

humans in lots of ways can make those pathogens worse and we’re seeing an

pathogens worse and we’re seeing an

pathogens worse and we’re seeing an increasing impact on all sorts of wild

increasing impact on all sorts of wild

increasing impact on all sorts of wild animal species from pathogens a few

animal species from pathogens a few

animal species from pathogens a few examples I could name many one really

examples I could name many one really

examples I could name many one really recent one that’s come that we’ve become

recent one that’s come that we’ve become

recent one that’s come that we’ve become aware of really in the last year or so

aware of really in the last year or so

aware of really in the last year or so is called sea star wasting disease we

is called sea star wasting disease we

is called sea star wasting disease we think it’s caused by a virus that’s been

think it’s caused by a virus that’s been

think it’s caused by a virus that’s been exacerbated by climate change it

exacerbated by climate change it

exacerbated by climate change it effectively causes starfish to

effectively causes starfish to

effectively causes starfish to disintegrate they fall apart their limbs

disintegrate they fall apart their limbs

disintegrate they fall apart their limbs fall off and crawl away on the ocean

fall off and crawl away on the ocean

fall off and crawl away on the ocean floor and eventually they die this is a

floor and eventually they die this is a

floor and eventually they die this is a worry because sea stars are really

worry because sea stars are really

worry because sea stars are really important predators in intertidal

important predators in intertidal

important predators in intertidal ecosystems we need them probably the

ecosystems we need them probably the

ecosystems we need them probably the most famous wildlife disease and the the

most famous wildlife disease and the the

most famous wildlife disease and the the sort of most major impact from wildlife

sort of most major impact from wildlife

sort of most major impact from wildlife disease has been on frogs amphibian cat

disease has been on frogs amphibian cat

disease has been on frogs amphibian cat radio mycosis has led to extinctions of

radio mycosis has led to extinctions of

radio mycosis has led to extinctions of dozens of species the fastest decline of

dozens of species the fastest decline of

dozens of species the fastest decline of vertebrate biodiversity that we’ve ever

vertebrate biodiversity that we’ve ever

vertebrate biodiversity that we’ve ever observed in the last 30 years so cause

observed in the last 30 years so cause

observed in the last 30 years so cause massive declines we’ve spread it all

massive declines we’ve spread it all

massive declines we’ve spread it all over the place in the pet trade

over the place in the pet trade

over the place in the pet trade and by other means by spreading water

and by other means by spreading water

and by other means by spreading water around the one I’m gonna talk most about

around the one I’m gonna talk most about

around the one I’m gonna talk most about the one we’ve been working on most

the one we’ve been working on most

the one we’ve been working on most recently is a disease of hibernating

recently is a disease of hibernating

recently is a disease of hibernating bats called white-nose syndrome this

bats called white-nose syndrome this

bats called white-nose syndrome this little guy in the bottom right is is

little guy in the bottom right is is

little guy in the bottom right is is heavily infected with a nasty fungus and

heavily infected with a nasty fungus and

heavily infected with a nasty fungus and he won’t survive but who cares why

he won’t survive but who cares why

he won’t survive but who cares why should we care first about infectious

should we care first about infectious

should we care first about infectious diseases of wildlife and second a

diseases of wildlife and second a

diseases of wildlife and second a question near and dear to my heart why

question near and dear to my heart why

question near and dear to my heart why should we care about bats which are kind

should we care about bats which are kind

should we care about bats which are kind of unusual animals some of you may

of unusual animals some of you may

of unusual animals some of you may remember this mediocre – maybe okay film

remember this mediocre – maybe okay film

remember this mediocre – maybe okay film called contagion starring Gwyneth

called contagion starring Gwyneth

called contagion starring Gwyneth Paltrow as patient zero she dies at a

Paltrow as patient zero she dies at a

Paltrow as patient zero she dies at a horrible hemorrhagic death and Matt

horrible hemorrhagic death and Matt

horrible hemorrhagic death and Matt Damon saves the world not because of his

Damon saves the world not because of his

Damon saves the world not because of his super spy skills but because he just by

super spy skills but because he just by

super spy skills but because he just by dumb luck happens to be resistant to the

dumb luck happens to be resistant to the

dumb luck happens to be resistant to the pathogen to the contagion in the story

pathogen to the contagion in the story

pathogen to the contagion in the story but it’s actually based on it’s a highly

but it’s actually based on it’s a highly

but it’s actually based on it’s a highly far-fetched sort of dramatization of

far-fetched sort of dramatization of

far-fetched sort of dramatization of what might happen in a global pandemic

what might happen in a global pandemic

what might happen in a global pandemic but it’s based on a real disease that

but it’s based on a real disease that

but it’s based on a real disease that jumped from wild animals to livestock

jumped from wild animals to livestock

jumped from wild animals to livestock and then to people humans went in cut

and then to people humans went in cut

and then to people humans went in cut down some pristine rainforest and a bat

down some pristine rainforest and a bat

down some pristine rainforest and a bat flew into a hog barn gave Nipah virus to

flew into a hog barn gave Nipah virus to

flew into a hog barn gave Nipah virus to the Hogs the Hogs then transmitted it to

the Hogs the Hogs then transmitted it to

the Hogs the Hogs then transmitted it to people and a whole bunch of people died

people and a whole bunch of people died

people and a whole bunch of people died it didn’t spread nearly as easily as the

it didn’t spread nearly as easily as the

it didn’t spread nearly as easily as the disease in this movie as the pathogen in

disease in this movie as the pathogen in

disease in this movie as the pathogen in this movie so it sort of flashed out but

this movie so it sort of flashed out but

this movie so it sort of flashed out but many many other viral pathogens of

many many other viral pathogens of

many many other viral pathogens of wildlife are a concern and most emerging

wildlife are a concern and most emerging

wildlife are a concern and most emerging infectious diseases of people come from

infectious diseases of people come from

infectious diseases of people come from wild animals so wildlife disease can

wild animals so wildlife disease can

wild animals so wildlife disease can become human disease I think we should

become human disease I think we should

become human disease I think we should care about bats for a range of reasons

care about bats for a range of reasons

care about bats for a range of reasons but one reason I think is they’re just

but one reason I think is they’re just

but one reason I think is they’re just cool there are the only mammals that can

cool there are the only mammals that can

cool there are the only mammals that can fly under their own power we worked with

fly under their own power we worked with

fly under their own power we worked with a documentary crew this summer to get

a documentary crew this summer to get

a documentary crew this summer to get these slow-motion videos of little brown

these slow-motion videos of little brown

these slow-motion videos of little brown bats currently a common species but

bats currently a common species but

bats currently a common species but critically endangered because of the

critically endangered because of the

critically endangered because of the disease I’m talking about tonight to

disease I’m talking about tonight to

disease I’m talking about tonight to show their incredible maneuverability to

show their incredible maneuverability to

show their incredible maneuverability to show this

show this

show this this incredible flight performance that

this incredible flight performance that

this incredible flight performance that ability to fly under their own power has

ability to fly under their own power has

ability to fly under their own power has allowed them to spread everywhere on

allowed them to spread everywhere on

allowed them to spread everywhere on earth where there are trees for them to

earth where there are trees for them to

earth where there are trees for them to roost in and it’s allowed them to

roost in and it’s allowed them to

roost in and it’s allowed them to diversify into a vast array of handsome

diversify into a vast array of handsome

diversify into a vast array of handsome beautiful really charismatic looking

beautiful really charismatic looking

beautiful really charismatic looking species there are bats with suction cups

species there are bats with suction cups

species there are bats with suction cups on their feet to let them hang on to the

on their feet to let them hang on to the

on their feet to let them hang on to the insides of leaves there are bats where

insides of leaves there are bats where

insides of leaves there are bats where the males have resonating chambers on

the males have resonating chambers on

the males have resonating chambers on their faces so they can sound sexy to

their faces so they can sound sexy to

their faces so they can sound sexy to females a vast array of of different

females a vast array of of different

females a vast array of of different species most species also depend on an

species most species also depend on an

species most species also depend on an incredibly cool way of perceiving the

incredibly cool way of perceiving the

incredibly cool way of perceiving the world called echolocation they scream

world called echolocation they scream

world called echolocation they scream out high-pitched sounds that are too

out high-pitched sounds that are too

out high-pitched sounds that are too high for us to hear but incredibly loud

high for us to hear but incredibly loud

high for us to hear but incredibly loud and then listening to listen for echoes

and then listening to listen for echoes

and then listening to listen for echoes bouncing back

bouncing back

bouncing back Vesna talked about some really cool

Vesna talked about some really cool

Vesna talked about some really cool detectors that astrophysics nerds have

detectors that astrophysics nerds have

detectors that astrophysics nerds have to perceive the universe bat nerds have

to perceive the universe bat nerds have

to perceive the universe bat nerds have some cool detectors as well we have bat

some cool detectors as well we have bat

some cool detectors as well we have bat detectors and those bad detectors

detectors and those bad detectors

detectors and those bad detectors allowed us to convert that high-pitched

allowed us to convert that high-pitched

allowed us to convert that high-pitched sound into something we can hear and

sound into something we can hear and

sound into something we can hear and when we do that this is the call of a

when we do that this is the call of a

when we do that this is the call of a Manitoba silver-haired app now that’s a

Manitoba silver-haired app now that’s a

Manitoba silver-haired app now that’s a that’s a commuting call if the bat we’re

that’s a commuting call if the bat we’re

that’s a commuting call if the bat we’re honing in on a particular target the

honing in on a particular target the

honing in on a particular target the calls get shorter and closer together

calls get shorter and closer together

calls get shorter and closer together and that sounds like this oops

can I do it I could have just imitated

can I do it I could have just imitated that that that sound we call a feeding

that that that sound we call a feeding

that that that sound we call a feeding buzz and that’s a great sign that we’re

buzz and that’s a great sign that we’re

buzz and that’s a great sign that we’re in good foraging habitat feeding habitat

in good foraging habitat feeding habitat

in good foraging habitat feeding habitat if we hear lots of those calls

if we hear lots of those calls

if we hear lots of those calls we know bats are eating and that’s a

we know bats are eating and that’s a

we know bats are eating and that’s a good place for about to be bats are cool

good place for about to be bats are cool

good place for about to be bats are cool but they’re also ecologically and

but they’re also ecologically and

but they’re also ecologically and economically important and there are a

economically important and there are a

economically important and there are a growing number of studies that show that

growing number of studies that show that

growing number of studies that show that importance some of the best recent

importance some of the best recent

importance some of the best recent experimental work comes from exclosure

experimental work comes from exclosure

experimental work comes from exclosure studies in southern Illinois where the

studies in southern Illinois where the

studies in southern Illinois where the researchers put up big nets at night to

researchers put up big nets at night to

researchers put up big nets at night to prevent bats from foraging over the corn

prevent bats from foraging over the corn

prevent bats from foraging over the corn they took them down during the day so

they took them down during the day so

they took them down during the day so birds could still eat insects in the

birds could still eat insects in the

birds could still eat insects in the fields but if you exclude bats you

fields but if you exclude bats you

fields but if you exclude bats you dramatically increase damage to the corn

dramatically increase damage to the corn

dramatically increase damage to the corn and we now know that bats in the u.s.

and we now know that bats in the u.s.

and we now know that bats in the u.s. are worth billions of dollars for

are worth billions of dollars for

are worth billions of dollars for agriculture so they’re also important

agriculture so they’re also important

agriculture so they’re also important animals and so those are some of the

animals and so those are some of the

animals and so those are some of the reasons that biologists in New York

reasons that biologists in New York

reasons that biologists in New York State were so alarmed in 2007 when they

State were so alarmed in 2007 when they

State were so alarmed in 2007 when they went into caves to do their annual

went into caves to do their annual

went into caves to do their annual surveys to count their bats and instead

surveys to count their bats and instead

surveys to count their bats and instead of seeing scenes like this with

of seeing scenes like this with

of seeing scenes like this with thousands of bats snuggling and cuddling

thousands of bats snuggling and cuddling

thousands of bats snuggling and cuddling on the ceilings of caves they found this

on the ceilings of caves they found this

on the ceilings of caves they found this in four of their caves carpets of dead

in four of their caves carpets of dead

in four of their caves carpets of dead bats carpets of skeletons and a few

bats carpets of skeletons and a few

bats carpets of skeletons and a few survivors hanging on the ceiling and the

survivors hanging on the ceiling and the

survivors hanging on the ceiling and the walls with this white stuff growing all

walls with this white stuff growing all

walls with this white stuff growing all over their skin folks pretty quickly

over their skin folks pretty quickly

over their skin folks pretty quickly worked out that this was a newly

worked out that this was a newly

worked out that this was a newly discovered fungus it hadn’t been

discovered fungus it hadn’t been

discovered fungus it hadn’t been described before it’s a cold loving

described before it’s a cold loving

described before it’s a cold loving fungus it only grows in the cold

fungus it only grows in the cold

fungus it only grows in the cold we mercifully abbreviate the name of it

we mercifully abbreviate the name of it

we mercifully abbreviate the name of it to PD and it invades the skin of the

to PD and it invades the skin of the

to PD and it invades the skin of the wings and faces so this wing on over

wings and faces so this wing on over

wings and faces so this wing on over here is badly damaged from this fungus

here is badly damaged from this fungus

here is badly damaged from this fungus growing into the tissue

growing into the tissue

growing into the tissue it only invades the skin so it doesn’t

it only invades the skin so it doesn’t

it only invades the skin so it doesn’t invade other organs but somehow it was

invade other organs but somehow it was

invade other organs but somehow it was causing bats to die and that’s one of

causing bats to die and that’s one of

causing bats to die and that’s one of the things we wanted to figure out early

the things we wanted to figure out early

the things we wanted to figure out early on it also spread incredibly quickly

on it also spread incredibly quickly

on it also spread incredibly quickly this is a map showing the spread

this is a map showing the spread

this is a map showing the spread throughout East

throughout East

throughout East North America in less than ten years it

North America in less than ten years it

North America in less than ten years it was only discovered in four caves in

was only discovered in four caves in

was only discovered in four caves in 2007 since then it spread halfway across

2007 since then it spread halfway across

2007 since then it spread halfway across the continent it’s moved incredibly

the continent it’s moved incredibly

the continent it’s moved incredibly quickly and it just jumped last year to

quickly and it just jumped last year to

quickly and it just jumped last year to across the Rockies so it’s really bad

across the Rockies so it’s really bad

across the Rockies so it’s really bad news for bats all across North America

so a couple of questions we wanted to

so a couple of questions we wanted to work out early on where did this thing

work out early on where did this thing

work out early on where did this thing suddenly come from and what’s it

suddenly come from and what’s it

suddenly come from and what’s it actually doing to bats if we figure that

actually doing to bats if we figure that

actually doing to bats if we figure that out maybe we can figure out how to help

out maybe we can figure out how to help

out maybe we can figure out how to help them well before this disease came along

them well before this disease came along

them well before this disease came along I studied hibernation and one of the

I studied hibernation and one of the

I studied hibernation and one of the reasons I studied bats to understand

reasons I studied bats to understand

reasons I studied bats to understand hibernation is that they’re superstars

hibernation is that they’re superstars

hibernation is that they’re superstars of hibernating our little brown bats in

of hibernating our little brown bats in

of hibernating our little brown bats in Manitoba have to survive eight months on

Manitoba have to survive eight months on

Manitoba have to survive eight months on only two grams of stored fat they don’t

only two grams of stored fat they don’t

only two grams of stored fat they don’t eat anything in the winter and so to do

eat anything in the winter and so to do

eat anything in the winter and so to do that they really drop their body

that they really drop their body

that they really drop their body temperature this is a plot of the skin

temperature this is a plot of the skin

temperature this is a plot of the skin temperature of a hibernating bat that

temperature of a hibernating bat that

temperature of a hibernating bat that we’ve measured with this little backpack

we’ve measured with this little backpack

we’ve measured with this little backpack data logger a healthy bat during

data logger a healthy bat during

data logger a healthy bat during hibernation it spends most of its time

hibernation it spends most of its time

hibernation it spends most of its time at a really cold body temperature about

at a really cold body temperature about

at a really cold body temperature about seven degrees but every few weeks and

seven degrees but every few weeks and

seven degrees but every few weeks and all hibernators have to do this it

all hibernators have to do this it

all hibernators have to do this it rewarmed to a normal body temperature

rewarmed to a normal body temperature

rewarmed to a normal body temperature for about two hours we’re not totally

for about two hours we’re not totally

for about two hours we’re not totally sure why hibernators do this ground

sure why hibernators do this ground

sure why hibernators do this ground squirrels do it

squirrels do it

squirrels do it skunks do it Chipmunks do it they all do

skunks do it Chipmunks do it they all do

skunks do it Chipmunks do it they all do it they have to do it at some interval

it they have to do it at some interval

it they have to do it at some interval there’s something about being a mammal

there’s something about being a mammal

there’s something about being a mammal and being cold for really long periods

and being cold for really long periods

and being cold for really long periods that’s incompatible they spend most of

that’s incompatible they spend most of

that’s incompatible they spend most of their winter fat reserves on those

their winter fat reserves on those

their winter fat reserves on those really shorter Razzles they have to

really shorter Razzles they have to

really shorter Razzles they have to shiver and spend a ton of energy to get

shiver and spend a ton of energy to get

shiver and spend a ton of energy to get back to a normal body temperature

back to a normal body temperature

back to a normal body temperature usually what they do is have a pee maybe

usually what they do is have a pee maybe

usually what they do is have a pee maybe they fly around a little bit and then

they fly around a little bit and then

they fly around a little bit and then they have a nap they’re cold brains

they have a nap they’re cold brains

they have a nap they’re cold brains can’t sleep properly and then they go

can’t sleep properly and then they go

can’t sleep properly and then they go back into these long energy-saving boats

back into these long energy-saving boats

back into these long energy-saving boats of what we call torpor down here well

of what we call torpor down here well

of what we call torpor down here well when we looked at the body temperatures

when we looked at the body temperatures

when we looked at the body temperatures of bats that were infected in their skin

of bats that were infected in their skin

of bats that were infected in their skin with this fungus what we found is that

with this fungus what we found is that

with this fungus what we found is that by the end of the winter as the fungus

by the end of the winter as the fungus

by the end of the winter as the fungus grows into their wings their rewarming

grows into their wings their rewarming

grows into their wings their rewarming about three times too often and as a

about three times too often and as a

about three times too often and as a result each of these arouses cost about

result each of these arouses cost about

result each of these arouses cost about three weeks of cold time three weeks of

three weeks of cold time three weeks of

three weeks of cold time three weeks of fat

fat

fat they run out of fat too quickly and

they run out of fat too quickly and

they run out of fat too quickly and starve and around the time we were doing

starve and around the time we were doing

starve and around the time we were doing those experiments folks in Europe were

those experiments folks in Europe were

those experiments folks in Europe were also frantically looking for this fungus

also frantically looking for this fungus

also frantically looking for this fungus on their bats to see if they should be

on their bats to see if they should be

on their bats to see if they should be worried about a nasty infectious die-off

worried about a nasty infectious die-off

worried about a nasty infectious die-off as well and what you see in these red

as well and what you see in these red

as well and what you see in these red circles on this map are sites throughout

circles on this map are sites throughout

circles on this map are sites throughout Europe where they found PD growing on

Europe where they found PD growing on

Europe where they found PD growing on European bats and in fact it’s now been

European bats and in fact it’s now been

European bats and in fact it’s now been found as far east as China it’s probably

found as far east as China it’s probably

found as far east as China it’s probably everywhere in the old world growing

everywhere in the old world growing

everywhere in the old world growing happily on bats which don’t die in

happily on bats which don’t die in

happily on bats which don’t die in massive numbers throughout Eurasia so it

massive numbers throughout Eurasia so it

massive numbers throughout Eurasia so it occurs all over the place a bunch of

occurs all over the place a bunch of

occurs all over the place a bunch of lines of evidence support the hypothesis

lines of evidence support the hypothesis

lines of evidence support the hypothesis that it was accidentally introduced to

that it was accidentally introduced to

that it was accidentally introduced to North America there are a number of

North America there are a number of

North America there are a number of studies but some of the most compelling

studies but some of the most compelling

studies but some of the most compelling sort of circumstantial evidence is that

sort of circumstantial evidence is that

sort of circumstantial evidence is that one of those first four sites where it

one of those first four sites where it

one of those first four sites where it was found in New York State is a huge

was found in New York State is a huge

was found in New York State is a huge tourist attraction called Howe Caverns

tourist attraction called Howe Caverns

tourist attraction called Howe Caverns gets tens of thousands of visitors per

gets tens of thousands of visitors per

gets tens of thousands of visitors per year you can do walking tours and boat

year you can do walking tours and boat

year you can do walking tours and boat tours if that floats your boat you can

tours if that floats your boat you can

tours if that floats your boat you can also get married in the cave if you want

also get married in the cave if you want

also get married in the cave if you want to have a wedding in a cold damp place

to have a wedding in a cold damp place

to have a wedding in a cold damp place so it’s very busy the leading hypothesis

so it’s very busy the leading hypothesis

so it’s very busy the leading hypothesis to explain how it got here is that

to explain how it got here is that

to explain how it got here is that someone who visited a cave in Europe or

someone who visited a cave in Europe or

someone who visited a cave in Europe or Asia tracked it over here on their boots

Asia tracked it over here on their boots

Asia tracked it over here on their boots didn’t wash their boots after they

didn’t wash their boots after they

didn’t wash their boots after they visited Howe Caverns so an example of

visited Howe Caverns so an example of

visited Howe Caverns so an example of how humans can make infectious diseases

how humans can make infectious diseases

how humans can make infectious diseases worse what can we do about it there have

worse what can we do about it there have

worse what can we do about it there have been a number of ideas about what we

been a number of ideas about what we

been a number of ideas about what we might do the first thing we started to

might do the first thing we started to

might do the first thing we started to do was to make sure we weren’t spreading

do was to make sure we weren’t spreading

do was to make sure we weren’t spreading it from place to place and so biologists

it from place to place and so biologists

it from place to place and so biologists are now very careful to wear really

are now very careful to wear really

are now very careful to wear really fashionable clothing when we go caving

fashionable clothing when we go caving

fashionable clothing when we go caving that we can dispose of and clean we’re

that we can dispose of and clean we’re

that we can dispose of and clean we’re careful about cleaning our boots and we

careful about cleaning our boots and we

careful about cleaning our boots and we try and do as much outreach as we can

try and do as much outreach as we can

try and do as much outreach as we can with people who explore caves there are

with people who explore caves there are

with people who explore caves there are thousands and thousands of them in the

thousands and thousands of them in the

thousands and thousands of them in the US fewer in Canada to make sure that

US fewer in Canada to make sure that

US fewer in Canada to make sure that those folks are cleaning their climbing

those folks are cleaning their climbing

those folks are cleaning their climbing gear their caving boots they’re closed

gear their caving boots they’re closed

gear their caving boots they’re closed so we don’t spread it from place to

so we don’t spread it from place to

so we don’t spread it from place to place that’s only going to go so far

place that’s only going to go so far

place that’s only going to go so far though because we know the bats are

though because we know the bats are

though because we know the bats are spreading it as well and so there’s been

spreading it as well and so there’s been

spreading it as well and so there’s been a real push to try and cure this

a real push to try and cure this

a real push to try and cure this life disease we know there are lots of

life disease we know there are lots of

life disease we know there are lots of things that beat it up really nicely in

things that beat it up really nicely in

things that beat it up really nicely in a petri dish

a petri dish

a petri dish so over here we’ve got white nose

so over here we’ve got white nose

so over here we’ve got white nose syndrome fungus happily growing on a

syndrome fungus happily growing on a

syndrome fungus happily growing on a petri dish here we’ve introduced a

petri dish here we’ve introduced a

petri dish here we’ve introduced a bacterium that was actually isolated

bacterium that was actually isolated

bacterium that was actually isolated from the wings of a resistant bat

from the wings of a resistant bat

from the wings of a resistant bat species that prevents it from growing

species that prevents it from growing

species that prevents it from growing you can see what’s called a zone of

you can see what’s called a zone of

you can see what’s called a zone of inhibition here we’ve put this on live

inhibition here we’ve put this on live

inhibition here we’ve put this on live bats infected with the fungus here in

bats infected with the fungus here in

bats infected with the fungus here in our lab at UW and found that we can make

our lab at UW and found that we can make

our lab at UW and found that we can make things a little bit better in a really

things a little bit better in a really

things a little bit better in a really controlled lab setting the trick is

controlled lab setting the trick is

controlled lab setting the trick is translating this to something we might

translating this to something we might

translating this to something we might do in caves in the wild and there are a

do in caves in the wild and there are a

do in caves in the wild and there are a bunch of logistic challenges associated

bunch of logistic challenges associated

bunch of logistic challenges associated with that that probably make it

with that that probably make it

with that that probably make it impossible one of the most important

impossible one of the most important

impossible one of the most important ones is that we don’t know where most of

ones is that we don’t know where most of

ones is that we don’t know where most of the bats are to treat especially in

the bats are to treat especially in

the bats are to treat especially in Western North America we have no idea

Western North America we have no idea

Western North America we have no idea where our bats are hibernating in some

where our bats are hibernating in some

where our bats are hibernating in some parts of the eastern US we had a pretty

parts of the eastern US we had a pretty

parts of the eastern US we had a pretty good handle on where the bats were

good handle on where the bats were

good handle on where the bats were before this thing started but many of

before this thing started but many of

before this thing started but many of them are hiding in places that are

them are hiding in places that are

them are hiding in places that are really tough to reach one of the things

really tough to reach one of the things

really tough to reach one of the things that we did in Canada and started to do

that we did in Canada and started to do

that we did in Canada and started to do in the US is the thing we always do when

in the US is the thing we always do when

in the US is the thing we always do when species are in trouble or we should

species are in trouble or we should

species are in trouble or we should always do when they’re in trouble is

always do when they’re in trouble is

always do when they’re in trouble is list them as endangered or threatened

list them as endangered or threatened

list them as endangered or threatened and the reason we do that is that it

and the reason we do that is that it

and the reason we do that is that it comes with some automatic habitat

comes with some automatic habitat

comes with some automatic habitat protection when we list the species as

protection when we list the species as

protection when we list the species as endangered there are certain activities

endangered there are certain activities

endangered there are certain activities that are now prohibited in habitats

that are now prohibited in habitats

that are now prohibited in habitats critical habitats of those species and

critical habitats of those species and

critical habitats of those species and we’ve been looking at this approach as a

we’ve been looking at this approach as a

we’ve been looking at this approach as a way to help bats potentially recover we

way to help bats potentially recover we

way to help bats potentially recover we know that some individuals are surviving

know that some individuals are surviving

know that some individuals are surviving and we also know that European bats

and we also know that European bats

and we also know that European bats appear to have evolved resistance to the

appear to have evolved resistance to the

appear to have evolved resistance to the disease but if those survivors don’t

disease but if those survivors don’t

disease but if those survivors don’t have really great habitats in the

have really great habitats in the

have really great habitats in the summertime when they come out of

summertime when they come out of

summertime when they come out of hibernation and have to reproduce they

hibernation and have to reproduce they

hibernation and have to reproduce they can’t help populations recover if they

can’t help populations recover if they

can’t help populations recover if they can reproduce presumably they can pass

can reproduce presumably they can pass

can reproduce presumably they can pass on heritable traits to their offspring

on heritable traits to their offspring

on heritable traits to their offspring that help them survive the winter with

that help them survive the winter with

that help them survive the winter with the fungus we call that evolutionary

the fungus we call that evolutionary

the fungus we call that evolutionary rescue in conservation biology if we can

rescue in conservation biology if we can

rescue in conservation biology if we can help survivors reproduce we may increase

help survivors reproduce we may increase

help survivors reproduce we may increase the proliferation of resist

the proliferation of resist

the proliferation of resist traits in the population so we’ve known

traits in the population so we’ve known

traits in the population so we’ve known for decades what mother bats love in the

for decades what mother bats love in the

for decades what mother bats love in the summertime to help their pups grow

summertime to help their pups grow

summertime to help their pups grow quickly they like warm roosts they like

quickly they like warm roosts they like

quickly they like warm roosts they like intact forests they like a mix of old

intact forests they like a mix of old

intact forests they like a mix of old forests and lots of water so there are

forests and lots of water so there are

forests and lots of water so there are lots of bugs around and lots of places

lots of bugs around and lots of places

lots of bugs around and lots of places to hang out during the day and for some

to hang out during the day and for some

to hang out during the day and for some species we also know that they love

species we also know that they love

species we also know that they love artificial structures many of you have

artificial structures many of you have

artificial structures many of you have probably interacted with bats and

probably interacted with bats and

probably interacted with bats and cottages or cabins maybe some of you

cottages or cabins maybe some of you

cottages or cabins maybe some of you have a bat house that has bats in it

have a bat house that has bats in it

have a bat house that has bats in it little brown bats especially love to use

little brown bats especially love to use

little brown bats especially love to use bat houses and so we’ve wondered if we

bat houses and so we’ve wondered if we

bat houses and so we’ve wondered if we could make those habitats even better

could make those habitats even better

could make those habitats even better for reproduction by bats in the

for reproduction by bats in the

for reproduction by bats in the summertime

summertime

summertime can we actually hotbox bats can we

can we actually hotbox bats can we

can we actually hotbox bats can we create an artificial habitat a heated

create an artificial habitat a heated

create an artificial habitat a heated bat box that they like even better than

bat box that they like even better than

bat box that they like even better than their natural roost and so here Quinn

their natural roost and so here Quinn

their natural roost and so here Quinn and Kaley are showing our prototype we

and Kaley are showing our prototype we

and Kaley are showing our prototype we have worked with the Quebec government

have worked with the Quebec government

have worked with the Quebec government on a citizen science website that lets

on a citizen science website that lets

on a citizen science website that lets people register existing bat colonies on

people register existing bat colonies on

people register existing bat colonies on their properties and count their bats

their properties and count their bats

their properties and count their bats for us you can check it out at bat watch

for us you can check it out at bat watch

for us you can check it out at bat watch CA this has allowed us to identify a lot

CA this has allowed us to identify a lot

CA this has allowed us to identify a lot of keen citizen scientists who are

of keen citizen scientists who are

of keen citizen scientists who are willing to let us put one of our

willing to let us put one of our

willing to let us put one of our experimental heated bat boxes on their

experimental heated bat boxes on their

experimental heated bat boxes on their properties so we’ve now put out 30 of

properties so we’ve now put out 30 of

properties so we’ve now put out 30 of our experimental boxes we’re checking on

our experimental boxes we’re checking on

our experimental boxes we’re checking on them we’ll be checking on them over the

them we’ll be checking on them over the

them we’ll be checking on them over the next few years so I started with a

next few years so I started with a

next few years so I started with a question what what human impacts are the

question what what human impacts are the

question what what human impacts are the worst for wildlife I think we probably

worst for wildlife I think we probably

worst for wildlife I think we probably don’t need to do a ranking here and I

don’t need to do a ranking here and I

don’t need to do a ranking here and I think one of the points I want to sort

think one of the points I want to sort

think one of the points I want to sort of highlight is that many wildlife

of highlight is that many wildlife

of highlight is that many wildlife conservation issues boil down to death

conservation issues boil down to death

conservation issues boil down to death by a thousand cuts we’ve got bats that

by a thousand cuts we’ve got bats that

by a thousand cuts we’ve got bats that maybe don’t have the best habitats to

maybe don’t have the best habitats to

maybe don’t have the best habitats to live in and we’ve now combined that with

live in and we’ve now combined that with

live in and we’ve now combined that with a pathogen that we’ve spread around the

a pathogen that we’ve spread around the

a pathogen that we’ve spread around the world

world

world so we’ve got a combination of issues

so we’ve got a combination of issues

so we’ve got a combination of issues going on and that’s often a real problem

going on and that’s often a real problem

going on and that’s often a real problem for a wildlife conservation in general

for a wildlife conservation in general

for a wildlife conservation in general what can we do about wildlife disease

what can we do about wildlife disease

what can we do about wildlife disease well a sort of inside baseball kind of

well a sort of inside baseball kind of

well a sort of inside baseball kind of take-home message for people interested

take-home message for people interested

take-home message for people interested in wildlife policy at the moment

in wildlife policy at the moment

in wildlife policy at the moment surveillance and response and research

surveillance and response and research

surveillance and response and research for wildlife disease

for wildlife disease

for wildlife disease is really a kind of piecemeal sort of

is really a kind of piecemeal sort of

is really a kind of piecemeal sort of process there are many organizations in

process there are many organizations in

process there are many organizations in many different countries that have

many different countries that have

many different countries that have different responsibilities there’s not

different responsibilities there’s not

different responsibilities there’s not good coordination like for example in a

good coordination like for example in a

good coordination like for example in a body like the World Health Organization

body like the World Health Organization

body like the World Health Organization for wildlife so that would be a step in

for wildlife so that would be a step in

for wildlife so that would be a step in the right direction policy wise for

the right direction policy wise for

the right direction policy wise for ourselves and I show this picture of the

ourselves and I show this picture of the

ourselves and I show this picture of the little customs card you have to fill out

little customs card you have to fill out

little customs card you have to fill out when you cross the border a little bit

when you cross the border a little bit

when you cross the border a little bit tongue-in-cheek we’re not going to solve

tongue-in-cheek we’re not going to solve

tongue-in-cheek we’re not going to solve the problem by not lying on our customs

the problem by not lying on our customs

the problem by not lying on our customs card if we visited a farm in the last

card if we visited a farm in the last

card if we visited a farm in the last few weeks but being aware of biosecurity

few weeks but being aware of biosecurity

few weeks but being aware of biosecurity and understanding why these questions

and understanding why these questions

and understanding why these questions are on your customs card is is useful if

are on your customs card is is useful if

are on your customs card is is useful if as tourists as visitors to other

as tourists as visitors to other

as tourists as visitors to other countries if we’re out in nature we

countries if we’re out in nature we

countries if we’re out in nature we should be aware of what we’re tracking

should be aware of what we’re tracking

should be aware of what we’re tracking around on our boots and we can put up

around on our boots and we can put up

around on our boots and we can put up bat houses and encourage some cuddly fur

bat houses and encourage some cuddly fur

bat houses and encourage some cuddly fur net new friends thanks very much

net new friends thanks very much

net new friends thanks very much [Applause]