If only it was a simple as calling Batman to come to the rescue. Something is killing the bats, but like the bees and colony collapse disorder, we don't know what is causing it.
Called White Nose Syndrome because of the white fungus that grows in the muzzles of hibernating bats, WNS was first seen in New York state over the winter of 2006 and 2007. In addition to the symptoms of the white fungus, sick and dying bats are frequently emaciated and dehydrated.
This past winter WNS was also seen in caves in Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut. Since many bats from New Hampshire "winter" in caves in other states, they are also feeling the impact. Pennsylvania is reported deaths this summer and the wildlife service is monitoring all of the surrounding states for additional cases.
Across New England, the mortality rate for infected caves is over 80%. In some caves 97% of the hibernating bats died!
Bats are particularly important to the environment for insect control. In the summer, just one bat can eat half -- or more -- of its body weight in insects. Fewer bats means more mosquitoes, which in turn leads to more pesticides. Bats have a slow reproductive rate, giving birth to just one pup a year, so it will take years for the populations to recover from this mass die-off.
This new and inexplicable bat disease is being studied by scientists and conservationists in New England, and followed closely by the caving community. For more information visit the Northeast Region U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site.
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