White Nose Syndrome reported in South Dakota.

Pseudogymnoascus destructans (formerly known as Geomyces destructans) is a psychrophilic (cold-loving) fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fatal disease that has devastated bat populations in parts of the United States and Canada. Unlike other species of Geomyces, P. destructans grows in the temperatures found in winter bat hibernacula (4-20 °C). It was detected in South Dakota in May 2018.

US Fish and Wildlife Service
News - Disease outbreak
National Park Service

Recent controversy has arisen over how and when to survey for the deadly WNS virus in the upper great plains and elsewhere. Here is our position statement on this important issue.

WNS and captive studies of a threatened species

Recent controversy has arisen over the removal of Townsend's big-eared bats from the wild for use in captive studies. The SDBWG opposes such programs and offers our position statement on this important issue.

Bat books for SD schools

SD-BWG Bat Books for Schools Program has provided 110 book-sets for public elementary school libraries across South Dakota, but we still need your help!

A Special Thank-You to the SD-GF&P Wildlife Diversity Program for their support.