Bat Deaths in U.S. Northeast Baffle Experts
A disease called "white nose syndrome" is killing off hibernating bats by the thousands in New York state and Vermont, researchers say. The mysterious syndrome has affected eight hibernation sites in NY and one in Vermont and is called a grave threat.
The ailment—named for the white circles of fungus found around the noses of affected bats—was first noticed last January in four caves west of Albany, New York.
It has now spread to eight bat-hibernation sites in the state and to another site in Vermont.
Alan Hicks, a bat specialist with New York's Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), called the quick-spreading disorder the "gravest threat" to bats he had ever seen.
Up to 11,000 bats were found dead last winter, and many more this year are showing signs of illness, Hicks said.
One hard-hit cave went from more than 15,000 bats two years ago to 1,500 now.
"We do not know what the cause is, and we do not know how it was spread, either from cave to cave, or bat to bat," Hicks said. "You have this potential for this huge spread."
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