White-Nose Syndrome in Endangered Tennessee Bats

As reported in The Washington Post and Huffington Post, the White-nose syndrome, a devastating disease facing North-American bats, has spread to endangered Tennessee bats.  The disease, which can be detected by a fungus on their nose, causes bats to fly outside in winter months when no insects are available.  This both poses a survival issue for the bats, and impacts human beings who rely on these bats to eliminate pests.  The disease continues its relentless spread despite efforts by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and environmental groups, with some pushing for more cave closures to try to protect uninfected bats.

Hari Osofsky