Pocahontas, IA (Radio Iowa)– The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for individuals to take on night surveys of bats in Pocahontas County.

Wildlife Diversity Biologist Stephanie Shepherd says the surveys started about ten years ago in response to an outbreak of white-nose syndrome and have helped DNR officials get a handle on the situation.

Shepherd says bats that gather in large groups are most vulnerable to the disease.

Those interested in getting involved in the bat survey effort can go to the Volunteer Wildlife Monitoring website. Volunteers will need to have a vehicle and a partner to run the drive survey on at least two nights during a specified two week period in July with each drive starting around 45 minutes after sunset and lasting about two and a half hours.