new fungi is killing american bats

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

A new fungus has been discovered in the States that is killing hundreds of thousands of bats, particulary the little browns ( myotis lucifugus) whos hibernation preferences are also ideal for the fungi known as Geomyces destructans.

 

It has also been found in europe but does not seem to result in the symptoms that are killing the bats populations of america.

 

They are calling it WNS (white nose syndrone) as it results in a white patchy growth on the noses of the bats. This is a massive issue for the bats who appear to be woken by the the irritating infection where they lose fat reserves from a break in thier hibernation cycle, valuable fat needed to survive the winter, that they cant replace.

 

bad fungi, bad:thumbdown:

Edited December 2, 2010 by Tony Croft aka hamadryad

[David Humphries]

It's a form of athletes foot.

 

 

 

 

.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Thanks for posting that pick up david, perfect illustration.

 

take it youve heard of it too?

 

I was reading it in national geographic today

[David Humphries]

Thanks for posting that pick up david, perfect illustration.

 

take it youve heard of it too?

 

I was reading it in national geographic today

 

 

 

Caught the news off our resident Bat handler earlier this year.

 

Haven't had an update recently on the euro position.

 

 

 

 

Maybe Andy could update if he catches this thread.

 

 

 

 

.

[tommer9]

hama- i have just been reading the very same article!!!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

You cant beat NG, one of the truly great publications, simply the best photos and stories from around the world.

 

worth EVERY single penny

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

National geographic can be had for 15 quid a year if anyones interested

[rootstoshoots]

WNS has been a threat for more than a year now here in the states, i just recieved new literature on it today, i have not read it yet but i plan to as soon as i get off this computer. by the way what is 15 quid equal to?

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

maybe $25 US

[ecolojim]

thats really not cool!

 

pretty long term huge bat fan myself. would love the opportunity to become a handler and work with the amazing little critters but for one thing i wouldnt know where to start! Am I to assume that there is someone who would be able to point me in the right direction here on Arbtalk?

 

Tony, is that £15 the standard price for NG? is that an electronic version rather than a print version? Always been the go to publication for me in waiting rooms, but never got around to subscribing