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Source: https://wlos.com/news/local/deadly-d...ulation-in-wnc
Deadly disease continues to diminish bat population in WNC
by Karen WynneTuesday, June 25th 2019
The winter survey of bats in North Carolina shows the highly fatal White Nose Syndrome is spreading, now found in four additional counties, including Madison.
"White Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease," said Katherine Etchison, a bat biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. "It's caused by a fungal pathogen that's native to Europe or Asia. No one knew about it until it showed up in New York state back in 2006."
Etchison said the fungus thrives in cool, humid conditions like caves and mines, which is why 11 counties in the mountains, including Buncombe, have had bat populations hit hard by the disease. A popular place for monitoring the bats is the Shope Creek Trail Head in East Asheville.
Biologists said that over the past few years, some of the species hit hardest by White Nose have diminished by 90 percent.
"Unfortunately, we're seeing a huge reduction in the number of hibernating bats. And, we see the signs of this disease. We see the signs of the fungus growing on these bats. Sometimes we even see dead bats, as well," Etchison said...
Deadly disease continues to diminish bat population in WNC
by Karen WynneTuesday, June 25th 2019
The winter survey of bats in North Carolina shows the highly fatal White Nose Syndrome is spreading, now found in four additional counties, including Madison.
"White Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease," said Katherine Etchison, a bat biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. "It's caused by a fungal pathogen that's native to Europe or Asia. No one knew about it until it showed up in New York state back in 2006."
Etchison said the fungus thrives in cool, humid conditions like caves and mines, which is why 11 counties in the mountains, including Buncombe, have had bat populations hit hard by the disease. A popular place for monitoring the bats is the Shope Creek Trail Head in East Asheville.
Biologists said that over the past few years, some of the species hit hardest by White Nose have diminished by 90 percent.
"Unfortunately, we're seeing a huge reduction in the number of hibernating bats. And, we see the signs of this disease. We see the signs of the fungus growing on these bats. Sometimes we even see dead bats, as well," Etchison said...