Discovery of white-nose syndrome in a dead bat found in the Seattle area has alarmed people worried about survival of the mammal.
The find was recently confirmed by Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Jullet Craig, co-ordinator of the B.C. Community Bat Program, called the find “worrisome.”
“We knew this deadly fungus that kills bats was moving westward across North America,” said Juliet Craig “but we thought we had many years to prepare.”
Currently there are no known treatments for white nose syndrome that can be used to save bats in the wild. However, mitigating other threats to bat populations and preserving and restoring bat habitat may provide bat populations the resilience to rebound from the mortality that may be caused by the disease.
This is where the general public can help. Although white nose syndrome affects bats wintering in caves, it is during spring when bats return to building roosts when we have the best opportunity to detect the disease. Community members are urged to report dead bats and to also provide information on bat roosts.
The public is asked to phone the B.C. Community Bat Program toll free at 1-855-922-2287 with sightings.
Agencies/Canadajournal
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‘…but we thought we had many years to prepare.’
“But…but…but”does not cut it. This bat disease was reported a decade ago. Scientists did little or nothing while an animal so vital to humans grows extinct due to scientific inaction. The gods weep, and so should we at our incompetence and apathy!