U.S. FWS
Environmental Conservation Online System
Conserving the Nature of America

Recovery Plan Action Status

Plan Name: Gray Bat
Plan Status: Final
Plan Date: 08-Jul-82
Lead Agency: USFWS
Lead Office: Columbia Ecological Services Field Office ( (573) 234-2132 )
Species Action Priority # Action # Action Description Action Status Est. Initiation Date Est. Completion Date Responsible Parties Work Type Labor Type Action Comments Implementation Activities
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2 Public Education Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 FY 2009 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Other: Information and Education Contract With the documentation of Geomyces destructans that is the likely causative agent for White-nose syndrome, on five gray bats at MDC's Powder Mill Cave in Shannon County, MO, on 2 May 2010, there will be a need for extensive and long term outreach and public education to deal with the spread of Geomyces destructans and WNS, recommendations for bat and cave management, communication guidelines in response plans, etc.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Nickajack Cave (TN) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , Tennessee Valley Authority , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Contract See Appendix VI; owned and managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Old Indian Cave (IL) Not Started Florida Department of Natural Resources , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; this cave is in FL, not IL
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Beck Cave (MO) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Work type not yet selected Contract See Appendix VI; fence completed in 1981
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Bonanza Cave (AR) Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acquisition: Easement Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; MDC has established a long term endangered species lease agreement with the landowner
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Oaks Cave (TN) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; signed only
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Sanders Cave (AL) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; this cave is under private ownership.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Roaring Springs Cave (MO) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; sign placement only
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Geromes Cave (FL) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 Florida Game and Inland Fisheries Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; site designated at a Critical Wildlife Area by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Key Cave (AL) Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 FY 1995 - FY 1999 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , Tennessee Valley Authority , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; USFWS National Widllife Refuge
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Jesse James (KY) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Other Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; Access controlled
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Moles Cave (MO) Complete FY 1995 - FY 1999 FY 1995 - FY 1999 Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; acquired by MDC
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect White Buis Cave (TN0 Not Started Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Girards Cave (FL) Obsolete Florida Game and Inland Fisheries Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Chimney Cave (MO) Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division, National Park Service Acquisition Contract See Appendix VI; new gate completed in 2004; the correct name for this cave is Moses Prater
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Marvel Cave (MO) Obsolete Silver Dollar City, Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected This is a commercial cave associated with Silver Dollar City. Due to changes in the air flow of this cave, gray bats abandoned the site and it is no longer used by this species.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Tumbling Creek Cave (MO) Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 Ozark Underground Laboratory, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Contract See Appendix VI; new gate completed in 2004
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Bellamy Cave (TN) Complete FY 2007 FY 2007 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency , U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Internal Administrative See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Georgetown Cave (AL) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; under NPS ownership
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2 Protect Hambrick Cave (AL) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management: Habitat Maintenance and Manipulation Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; protected by the Tennessee Valley Authority
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Cave Springs (IL) Not Started State of Illinois, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Chrisman's Cave (KY) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Fern Cave (AL) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; established as Fern Cave NWR in 1981.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Coffin Cave (MO) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix V1; this cave is now owned, protected, and managed by MDC
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Hubbards Cave (TN) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 Nature Conservancy, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; this site is owned and managed by TNC.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Pearson Cave (TN) Complete FY 2007 FY 2008 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; site is now under the ownership and management of the Tennesse Natural Resource Agency
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Tobaccoport Cave (TN) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Santa (AL) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Saltpeter Cave (MO) Not Started Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, U.S. Forest Service Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI;
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Maves Cave (MO) Obsolete U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Missouri Department of Conservation Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; the listing of such a cave for Missouri is erroneous because there is no cave in the state with this name. It is likely a typo for Mauss Cave in Camden Co. which was partially protected with a sign that was erected in 1978.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Overstreet Cave (KY) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Bat Cave (MO) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Missouri Department of Conservation Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI. This needs clarification as there are multiple caves with this name in Missouri. Because it was listed in the reocvery plan as a priority 1 cave, it is assumed to be Bat Cave in Dent Co. If so, this cave has never been protected.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Judges Cave (FL) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Florida Game and Inland Fisheries Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Bone Cave (AR) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Indian Cave (TN) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Cripps Mill Cave (TN) Not Started U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Logan Cave (AR) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; this cave is now part of the Logan Cave NWR established on March 14, 1969
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Cool Springs Cave (KY) Not Started Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Cave Springs Cave (AL) Complete Prior to FY 1995 Prior to FY 1995 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; this cave is part of the Wheeler NWR that was established July 7, 1938
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Inca Cave (MO) Complete FY 2000 - FY 2004 FY 2000 - FY 2004 Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Acquisition Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; the name for this cave is erroneous- the correct name is Great Spirit Cave. This cave was initially fenced in 1981 and the fence was replaced with a new gate in 2001; in 2002 the site was purchased by MDC.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.2.1 Acquire Holland Cave (KY) Not Started Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Realty Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected See Appendix VI; the correct name for this cave is Carpenter's Cave; although not acquired, this cave is owned by a cooperative landowner and is protected.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 2 1.2.3 Monitor roost sites Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 FY 2020 State agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected Every 3 years. With the documentation of Geomyces destructans on 5 gray bats at MDC's Powder Mill Creek Cave in Shannon County, Missouri, on 2 May 2010 there was an increased need to monitor bats at roost sites, primarily at hibernacula and fall swarming sites to assess spread of this fungus. Although full blown white-nose syndrome (WNS) has not been documented for the species based on histological examination, WNS was confirmed in 5 new states (IN, KY, OH, NC, and TN) during the winter of 2010-2011. Gray bat sites affected with Gd in 2010 in MO were resurvyed in 2011 but no additional infections were observed or confirmed as predicted. Nor was the fungus confirmed on any gray bats in the 5 states listed above. Range-wide, the consensus of bat biologists is that the overall population trend for gray bats remains stable. In fact, there is limited information suggesting that some local populations continue to increase but there is insufficient trend analysis to support such a conclusion. The spread and potential impact of Gd and WNS will continue to be monitored. The FWS continues to work closely with other potentially affected parties in Missouri in the development of a state-wide WNS response plan. This plan is will soon be completed and will then be reviewed by an interagency team in the upcoming months. Surveys at gray bat hibernacula and maternity sites will continue to be monitored to further assess the potential impact of Gd/WNS on this species.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.4 Law Enforcement Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 FY 2020 State agencies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Law Enforcement Division Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 1 1.2.5 Monitor spread of WNS Ongoing Current FY 2011 FY 2021 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Endangered Species, Realty Research: Disease Species Expert The potential presence of White-nose syndrome (WNS) on gray bats has been monitored since the discovery of Geomyces destructans (Gd) on gray bats in Missouri in 2010. There was no evidence of Gd or WNS on gray bats during the winter of 2011-2012 but in April of 2012, gray bats tested positive for Gd and WNS from Pearson's Cave in Hawkins Co., and from Bellamy Cave in Montgomery Co., TN. Pearson's Cave is a Priority 1 Hibernaculum and Bellamy Cave is a Priority 1 Maternity Cave for gray bat. Ongoing monitoring of the spread of WNS throughout the range of gray bat and its potential impact on the species will spur the initiation of numerous research projects involving multiple work types, labor types, and responsible parties. It is estimated that costs would be a minimum of 50k per year but better estimates will not be possible until a better handle can be obtained on the potential impact on the species.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 2 1.2.6 Protect priority 2 caves Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 FY 2022 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Management Contract The protection of priority 2 caves through acquisition, gating, fencing, or conservation management agreement has been ongoing since 1983. Gating of caves will continue to be a high priority to protect bats from disturbance as well as reduce the potential spread of WNS via human transmission. Within the last reporting period a priority two cave was gated in Missouri: Bat Cave in Shannon County. This site is the third largest gray bat hibernaculum in MO and a fence that previously was constructed at the cave's entrance was insufficient to prevent illegal entrance and disturbance. This was a collaborative project between the Service's Columbia ES Office, the Missouri Department of Conservation, the Nature Conservancy, the National Park Service and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources- Division of State Parks.
Gray bat (Myotis grisescens) 2 3 Monitor population trends Ongoing Current Prior to FY 1995 FY 2020 Virginia Department of Conservation & Natural Resources Work type not yet selected Labor type not yet selected With the documentation of WWN on gray bats from two caves in TN in April, 2012, there will be an increased need to monitor bats at roost sites, primarily at hibernacula and fall swarming sites to assess spread of this disease and to assess the potential impact of WNS on the species. Multiple proposals have been submitted by various partners to monitor the status of ths species and the spread of Geomyces destructans and WNS within the range of gray bats. The discovery of WNS gray bats in TN in 2012 threatens the species with imminent extinction. Various actions have been taken to slow down the spread of WNS (e.g., incorporation or requirement of decontamination protocols, cave closures by various agencies, extensive research on the fungus, etc.), but it is currently unknown what actions will be needed to prevent significant population declines with this species as WNS continues to spread. Currently, a WNS state-wide action/response plan is being developed that will be an expansion of an action plan completed by the Missouri Department of Conservation in April 2010. All actions that may prevent a significant decline in the population of this species is being considered, including the possibility of captive rearing and propagation. The continued spread of WNS may threaten the existence of all species of hibernating bats in North America. Mass mortalities of gray bats were not observed at the two confirmed caves in TN in 2012 but given this species' habit of hibernating together in very large colonies, there is potential of exponential spread of the disease and major die offs of the species.
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