© Merlin D. Tuttle, Bat Conservation International, www.batcon.org
Focus: White-nose syndrome
White nose syndrome (WNS) is a fungal disease that affects hibernating bats and is associated with extensive mortality of bats in eastern North America. Bats with WNS exhibit uncharacteristic behavior during cold winter months, including flying outside during the day. WNS has killed more than 1 million bats over the past 4 years in and around caves and mines in the Northeast United States and Canada. Eight bat species, including the common little brown myotis, are facing extinction if the infection continues at the current rate. The disease is viewed as the most serious threat to American wildlife in the past century. Many scientists and bat conservation researchers are investigating WNS. In 2009 the US Congress approved $1.9 million in federal funding for research into the cause of White-nose Syndrome and potential solutions.
For recent news and information on White-nose syndrome, click here to visit Bat Conservation International's website, see our bats in the news page or read the news links below:
White nose syndrome killing hibernating bats in US, interview with Jeremy Coleman, US Fish and Wildlife Service, EarthSky, 4 Oct 2010 (transcript and audio)
