Bats in the Northeast: White-nose Woes

In the northeast, bats are dying and nobody knows why. It was first recognized last year in Albany, NY where about 10,000 bats--more than half of the wintering population there--died. Biologists noticed that most of the bats had something in common--a white fungus on their nose. However, it is unknown if it was the fungus that was killing the bats, or if it was just a symptom of a disease.

This year, the fungus--which is now being called white-nose syndrome--has been identified in bats in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Vermont, as well. It appears that bats with the fungus lose their fat reserves far too early in winter, and die as a result. Federal and state biologists, along with some caving organizations, are trying to determine the exact casue of death in these bats, as well as the geographic extent of the outbreak.

The fungus appears to be affecting all bat species, with greatest mortality to the local population of Little Brown Bats. The Indiana Bat, an endangered species, is also among the afflicted. It is unknown how white-nose syndrome will affect recovery efforts; but, Indiana Bat hibernacula and summer roost sites will be closely monitored.