View Full Version : Bats being decimated by white-nose syndrome
Many of you may have read in the last week about white-nose syndrome and it's impact upon bats. It's an issue which may impact agriculture, spelunkers and even hikers.
Why are 1000s of bats dying in NY? (http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8UQ97080&show_article=1)
Die-off of bats is linked to new fungus (http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-sci-bats31-2008oct31,0,5458013.story)
aaroniguana
11-08-2008, 10:49
I'm not a splunker, I'm a caver, but I've known about this for almost two years, All the grottos (caving clubs) have ceased caving trips in WV to prevent the spread by cavers and their gear. It's really a bummer because the President's Day Cave-In in WV was my favorite trip of the year.
For those who don't know, cavers are the dirtbaggers of cave enthusiasts. We buy our gear at thrift stores, hardware stores or make it at home instead of spending thousands at REI and Modells, and we usually end up rescuing lost or trapped spelunkers. Also we care about preserving bats and rock formations in caves.
Rain Man
11-08-2008, 12:58
I'm not a splunker, I'm a caver, ... For those who don't know, cavers are the dirtbaggers of cave enthusiasts. .. we usually end up rescuing lost or trapped spelunkers. ..
Wife and I used to be cavers, and yes, "spelunkers" is a cutsie word. It's like the difference between runners and joggers.
Am VERY sorry to learn about the bats dying! Bats are among mankind's best animal friends, Hollywood notwithstanding.
Rain:sunMan
.
aaroniguana
11-08-2008, 14:07
Rain Man, we'll always have OTR...
camojack
11-08-2008, 16:04
...we'll always have OTR.
OTR! Woo hoo!!! :D
Click on White nose syndrome: is Pennsylvania next? (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?A=11&Q=174142) to view PGC press release #049-08.
PGC is soliciting information about any unusual bat activity. They now have an online bat reporting form (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/webforms/survey.asp?s=CECACDC983CDCFC9&d=CCCEC9C883CDCFC6) for anyone who has information to contribute.
I'll try to find the form and press release issued before the PGC website redesign and server migration and post them here.
Link (http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=615025&mode=2) to a PGC's WNS page which includes both plus more information.
Posted today to Virginia Natural Heritage Program's Facebook feed: more bad news (http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/notes/virginia-natural-heritage-program/new-record-for-white-nose-syndrome-in-virginia/397778309199).