Since the winter of 2006, White-nose Syndrome has killed more than 5.7 million bats in Eastern North America. White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by a non-native, cold-loving fungus now found in the caves of the affected regions. It was first discovered in New York caves during the winter of 2006-2007, initially killing half of the wintering bat population. The name of the disease refers to the white fungal growth found on the noses of infected bats.
The fungus is currently killing hibernating bat species in 16 states and 4 Canadian provinces. It continues to spread across the continent. Little brown bats, once a common bat in the area, are sustaining the largest number of deaths. Caves infected with WNS are displaying a 90-100% bat mortality- wiping out most of the cave bat populations. A Department of Environmental Conservation survey shows a 93% decline of little brown bats in 23 caves at the epicenter of WNS. Currently five other hibernating bat species are affected by the fungus: big brown bat, northern long-eared bat, tri-colored bat, eastern small-footed bat and the endangered Indiana bat. The disease is spreading rapidly and has the potential to infect at least half the of the bat species found in North America.
What is this fungus and how is it killing the bats? That’s what many bat scientists are asking themselves. We still don’t have all of the answers or a cure. The white fungus found on the bats is scientifically called Geomyces destructans. Research has shown that WNS infected bats are awaking from hibernation as often as every 3-4 days as opposed to the normal every 10-20 days. The fungus damages the connective tissues, muscles and skin of the bats while also disrupting their physiological functions. The bats wake up dehydrated and hungry during the cold winters when there are no insects to eat. Unfortunately, about 90% of the bats affected perish due to starvation.
http://www.batconservation.org/drupal/white-nose
The fungus is currently killing hibernating bat species in 16 states and 4 Canadian provinces. It continues to spread across the continent. Little brown bats, once a common bat in the area, are sustaining the largest number of deaths. Caves infected with WNS are displaying a 90-100% bat mortality- wiping out most of the cave bat populations. A Department of Environmental Conservation survey shows a 93% decline of little brown bats in 23 caves at the epicenter of WNS. Currently five other hibernating bat species are affected by the fungus: big brown bat, northern long-eared bat, tri-colored bat, eastern small-footed bat and the endangered Indiana bat. The disease is spreading rapidly and has the potential to infect at least half the of the bat species found in North America.
What is this fungus and how is it killing the bats? That’s what many bat scientists are asking themselves. We still don’t have all of the answers or a cure. The white fungus found on the bats is scientifically called Geomyces destructans. Research has shown that WNS infected bats are awaking from hibernation as often as every 3-4 days as opposed to the normal every 10-20 days. The fungus damages the connective tissues, muscles and skin of the bats while also disrupting their physiological functions. The bats wake up dehydrated and hungry during the cold winters when there are no insects to eat. Unfortunately, about 90% of the bats affected perish due to starvation.
http://www.batconservation.org/drupal/white-nose
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