All bats submitted for Pd testing through this method must first test negative for rabies, " Beard said. Known roost locations can help biologists and researchers fight against white-nose syndrome. Maternity roosts may help advance a vaccine for white-nose syndrome and monitor bat populations. A vaccine for white-nose syndrome has been in development and has been shown to be safe in captive little brown bats. A USGS vaccine trial began in 2023 at two maternity roosts in Wyoming for little brown bats. Biologists captured bats with mist nets at these locations and marked them with a special microchip called a PIT tag. They also affixed a band to each bat's forearm. The bats were given either a placebo or the vaccine. Researchers from the National Wildlife Health Center will compare survival between bats given the vaccine and the placebo to find out how much the vaccine helps them survive white-nose syndrome over the following winter. This vaccine trial continues through 2024. In addition to Wyoming, the vaccine is being trialed at other recently infected maternity roosts in other states in the Rocky Mountain West. This crucial research and monitoring would not be possible if we did not know the locations for maternity roosts in Wyoming " We find out about maternity roosts from A little brown bat sports a band on its forearm. As part of a vaccine trial, bats are given a vaccine or a placebo and marked with a special microchip and band. (Photo by Emalee Smith/WGFD) landowners reaching out across the state, " Beard said. " We appreciate landowners for their willingness and partnership in conserving bats. We find most of our roosts based on notifications trickling to us either directly from the landowner or the landowner contacting a warden or regional Game and Fish biologist. " Some of the landowners are willing to keep maternity roosts on their property and allow for roost monitoring to occur. " We are so grateful to the landowners for A technician measures a bat as part of ongoing bat research. (Photo by Emalee Smith/WGFD) allowing Game and Fish and other research partners to access and survey the maternity roosts, " Beard added. " I am immensely proud of this state, the landowners and the public for stepping up to offer this information on suspected and known bat maternity roosts. You can tell the people of Wyoming care about bat conservation and understand how these small mammals play a vital role in the ecosystem. " - Katie Simpson is the Hunter Education Coordinator for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. Laura Beard, Game and Fish bat biologist, contributed to this article. Wyoming Wildlife | 23