There's a (Bat) Fungus Among Us
The mysterious disease that has killed thousands of bats already in the northeast has now appeared in bats that hibernate in Pennsylvania mining caves.The disease, called white-nose syndrome, is often accompanied by a certain fungus that can be found on bats in the dying colonies. In places where the disease has been confirmed, bats' hibernation patterns are altered, and they often move to warmer parts of a cave or even engage in a behavior scientists are calling "fly and die"-- where the bats try to leave their hibernation place altogether, but die shortly thereafter.
I don't find bats terribly cute and cuddly-- especially when they surprise me in my laundry basket, which happened a few weeks ago--but they do serve a lot of important functions for humans.
Bats eat insects-- including the kinds we don't like to have around-- and pollinate plants. Now that up to 90% of some colonies are dying, I think we have something to worry about. If we lose the bats and the bees, next might be the flowers and the trees.
Though a large number of scientists are working on this issue, so far they haven't figured out just how white nose syndrome kills the bats, or how to prevent it. But they're concerned since so many bats are dying, and they wouldn't mind the public's help. If you see large numbers of dead bats, or you see them acting erratically, call your local game commission or, in Pennsylvania, report them here. However, scientists still don't recommend touching the animals, as they are not yet sure if the disease might have any harmful effects on humans.
Though a large number of scientists are working on this issue, so far they haven't figured out just how white nose syndrome kills the bats, or how to prevent it. But they're concerned since so many bats are dying, and they wouldn't mind the public's help. If you see large numbers of dead bats, or you see them acting erratically, call your local game commission or, in Pennsylvania, report them here. However, scientists still don't recommend touching the animals, as they are not yet sure if the disease might have any harmful effects on humans.
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