Biweekly report Aug16-31 2024 - Region 4 (North Puget Sound)

Year
2024
Dates
Aug16-31
Division/Region
Region 4 (North Puget Sound)
Report sections

Managing Wildlife Populations

Mountain goat surveys: District wildlife staff members, in collaboration with tribal comanagers in the region, took to the skies to conduct a regular assessment of mountain goat populations in the Cascade Mountains. Surveys entail low-level flight across mountain goat habitat and established survey blocks to determine quantity, age, location, and other sight ability factors associated with mountain goat groups. This year, many previously un-surveyed areas were covered in addition to standard survey blocks. Surveys inform population management decisions such as hunting permit levels, as well as overall health and condition of local mountain goat populations.

Biologist takes photo after landing a helicopter from Mountain goat surveys.
Photo by WDFW
Tulalip (left), WDFW (center) and Sauk-Suiattle (right) biologists return from a morning of mountain goat surveys.
Aerial photo of mountain goats on a steep rocky cliffside.
Photo by WDFW
A group of four mountain goats including one kid documented near Darrington, WA.

Bat Acoustic Survey – Maintenance and Monitoring: District 12 worked with Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission to put a long-term bat acoustic monitoring station up on a more permanent surface. Previously, it was running on a large conduit pipe. Much better location – keep the calls coming! Thanks to the support of Washington State Parks!

Biologist Smith puts the final touches on a storage box for ongoing bat acoustic surveillance.
Photo by WDFW
Biologist Smith puts the final touches on a storage box for ongoing bat acoustic surveillance.
Air filter taped to a concrete ceiling with black electric tape
Photo by WDFW
Trial of Environmental DNA and CRISPR for the Causative Fungus of White-Nose Syndrome in Bats.

Biologist Anderson worked with Bat Specialist Tobin and a visiting United States Geological Survey (USGS) researcher regarding ongoing collaboration and trials in extracting eDNA from the air and surfaces. Rapid CRISPER (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) analysis is utilized for detection of the presence of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) – the causative fungus on White-nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats. The disease, caused by a non-native, invasive Eurasian fungus, known shorthand as Pd, is decimating a large portion of certain species of bats throughout North America. Washington is unfortunately seeing some of the negative effects of WNS. Continuing to develop better bat and WNS/Pd survey and monitoring techniques will only help in understanding how to manage and monitor our local bats in this challenging time with this disease.

WDFW employee in personal protective equipment, including a face mask, standing in a small concrete room holding something up to the ceiling.
Photo by WDFW
Biologist Anderson putting up air filters to capture fungal sports of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) – the causative fungus (and an official Washington state invasive species by the WA Invasive Species Council) - WISC - Washington Invasive Species Council

Providing Education and Outreach

Students of Migrant Families – High School Camp: Biologist Anderson provided bat education via a presentation and field group bat monitoring session, using the Woodland Park Zoo BAT (Bat Activity Trends) program. The students were from Pasco School District. The students were participating in an experiential program, spending time in outdoor programs and educational efforts at Rainbow Lodge, in North Bend.