Share with Wildlife | BISON-M

Searching for a Deadly Pathogen

Fringed myotis bat. (Kenneth Ingham)

White-nose syndrome can have catastrophic impacts on cave-roosting bats during their hibernation period. The disease, and its causative fungal pathogen, Pseudogymnoascus destructan (Pd for short), has been moving westward and was recently detected in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Even if surface conditions in New Mexico are not suitable for growth of this cold-tolerant fungus, the fungus can potentially thrive in the cool and moist conditions found in New Mexico’s caves and mines. This fungus could have catastrophic impacts on bats that hibernate in New Mexico if, and when, it arrives in the state.

Some caves and mines in the state are visited by hundreds, even many thousands of people every year. Humans may carry the fungus with them on their clothes and caving equipment, especially if they have been caving in states where the fungus has already been detected. For this reason, there are very stringent decontamination protocols required for anyone doing permitted work in caves on public lands. Given how quickly the fungus has spread and its detection in our neighboring states to the east, it is crucial to look more carefully at some of our most important bat hibernacula to see whether the fungus has arrived in New Mexico. There is often a delay between the arrival of the fungus and bats showing symptoms of white-nose syndrome. If we know where the fungus is present, we can work to prevent its spread to other locations.

Collecting soil and guano material. (Ginny Seamster)

Combining samples from a sampling location. (G. Seamster)

Using funding from the Share with Wildlife program, Jennifer Hathaway, a research scientist in Dr. Diana Northup’s lab at the University of New Mexico, is investigating whether Pd is present in any of several caves and mines used by bats. This entails collecting small samples of soil and guano in locations where there are signs of bat use and storing them in a specialized buffer solution. Given the high potential for humans to spread the fungus, Jennifer is focusing on pinch points that the majority of cave or mine visitors, and bats, are likely to have to pass. Accessing many of these study sites is a challenge, not to mention needing to bring sufficient light sources and other equipment and supplies to support many hours belowground. Having to make sure that all clothing and equipment is completely decontaminated between sites and nothing taken in the caves and mines is mixed with items that remain on the surface makes the process that much more arduous.

Flame-sterilizing tweezers prior to guano sample collection. (Kenneth Ingham)

Once the samples are collected, there are multiple steps in the genetics lab to determine whether Pd is present at the sampling location. Any detection of Pd will be validated by an independent laboratory, to ensure that there are no false positive results. All detections of this deadly fungus will be reported to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the land management agency that permitted the soil sample collection on their land. Consultation regarding next steps to prevent spread of the fungus can then proceed.

The Call for Project Information for Share with Wildlife projects for Fiscal Year 2019 is now closed. Results of the review process will be posted on this website in late summer/early fall.

These forms are provided for informational purposes to individuals and organizations submitting a proposal to the Share with Wildlife program in response to an active Call For Project Information. These forms should not be submitted to the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish unless an employee of the Department directly contacts you and requests that you fill them out as part of the process of implementing a professional services contract for a new Share with Wildlife project.

Campaign Contribution Disclosure Form

Compliance with Government Conduct Act

DFA Agency Certification Form

Substitute Form W-9

Applicants for a Share with Wildlife project who intend to capture and handle animals or use live animals and/or animal parts for educational purposes for their project may need to obtain a scientific collection permit or educational program permit from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish. Please see the Special Use Permits page for more information and contact dgf.permits@state.nm.us with questions.

New Mexico wildlife needs your help! Share with Wildlife funds numerous projects related to wildlife habitat enhancement, wildlife-related education, wildlife rehabilitation, and research on wildlife biology and ecology every year. All projects are made possible through donations made by members of the public. 

To make a donation, you may donate part of the refund on your state tax return; purchase a Share with Wildlife license plate or make any dollar amount donation online (minimum $2; see more information below); or mail in a check using this donation form. All donated funds go to supporting wildlife; none are used for administrative costs.

If you want your dollars to go even further in supporting non-game wildlife, consider donating to Share with Wildlife and purchasing a Habitat Management Access Validation simultaneously. Click here for more information about donating and here for information on our State Game Commission Lands

Thank you for your support of New Mexico’s wildlife!

Download the PDF to support wildlife by ordering the Share with Wildlife license plate. PDF made available from MVD New Mexico. The Rio Grande cutthroat trout plate is only available through the mail starting October 23rd, 2017. It may take 6-10 weeks to receive your trout plate from MVD.

On the Online Licensing System website (shown below) please enter your Username (or Customer ID or Email) and Password, and then click the Login button:

Once you are logged in, if you only wish to donate to Share with Wildlife, click on the Share with Wildlife button on the home page:

Type any dollar amount (minimum $2.00) you wish to donate in the Enter Donation Amount box (shown below) and click Review Order:

Dismiss any pop-up windows (shown below) regarding purchasing other items by clicking the OK button:

Click the Add to Cart button (shown below) at the top of the Review Order page:

On the next screen, click Checkout and continue on to complete your purchase.

OR

Once you are logged in, if you are purchasing other items through the Online Licensing System, go to License Sales | General License Sales from the Main Menu (shown below):

After you read the Terms of Agreement on the next page and click the Continue button, you will see a list of Available Products. Locate the Share with Wildlife Donation product ($10 donation only) OR the Share with Wildlife Extra Donation product ($2.00 minimum donation; type dollar amount in Enter Donation Amount box) and click the check box next to (add to order). Click the Review Order button:

Dismiss any pop-up windows (shown above) regarding purchasing other items by clicking the OK button. Click the Add to Cart button (shown above) at the top of the Review Order page. On the next screen, click Checkout and continue on to complete your purchase.