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Deadly Bat Plague Spreads

Fewer bats could impact harvests

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 4, 2009 3:58 AM CST

(Newser) – A mysterious disorder decimating the bat population in upstate New York has spread through the northeast and could be headed across the nation. The disease, called white nose syndrome after the white smudges found on infected bats, has spread to six states in two years, killing hundreds of thousands of hibernating bats, reports AP. The malady rouses bats from hibernation early as they burn through fat stores and they head into winter weather to search in vain for insects.

"The cause for concern is that this is going to race across the country faster than we can come up with a solution," said a New York wildlife biologist. The illness poses no direct threat to humans, but bats play a crucial ecological role, eating millions of insects that would otherwise destroy crops.

Al Hicks of the Department of Environmental Conservation photographs hibernating bats in an abandoned mine in Rosendale, N.Y.
Al Hicks of the Department of Environmental Conservation photographs hibernating bats in an abandoned mine in Rosendale, N.Y.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Nancy Heaslip of the Department of Environmental Conservation inserts a radio transmitter into a little brown bat.
Nancy Heaslip of the Department of Environmental Conservation inserts a radio transmitter into a little brown bat.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Michael Fishman collects bat skulls in an abandoned mine in Rosendale, N.Y.
Michael Fishman collects bat skulls in an abandoned mine in Rosendale, N.Y.   (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Feb 4, 2009 3:26 AM CST
Wonderful, it doesn't pose a threat to humans...now.

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