John Gumbs

I have been involved with wildlife since I was a child with an interest in all things. I became a licensed wildlife rehabilitator specializing in raptors for 23 years. I did surgical fixation of long bone fractures and pioneered the use of plastic intramedullary pins for avian repair. Over the years I became a caver (of course there were bats in caves), cave rescue instructor, technical rescue instructor, and SAR provider. I became involved with bat researchers as a consultant (trying to keep people from killing themselves in caves and abandoned mines) 10 years ago and have been involved ever since. Because I have a background with fluorescent minerals, I pursued the idea of using ultra violet (UV) light to visualize the fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) that was killing bats - and it worked. I pioneered the use of UV light and developed photo-documentation techniques to be able to compare photos from different researchers. Working with the NJ State biologist and other affiliated people, we have banded over 1300 bats in and around our major hibernaculum, followed the WNS disease process and healing both with white light and UV, and have worked with many collaborators from various universities/research groups. My wife and I started BATS Research Center in 2010 (a 501(c)3 corporation) to continue research into the various and yet-to-be-identified aspects of WNS. Email is batresearch@yahoo.com .

September 2013