I sad.

[Homicidalheathen]

(bats eat mosquitoes and things that eat our food crops as well)

In February 2006 some 40 miles west of Albany, N.Y., a caver photographed hibernating bats with an unusual white substance on their muzzles. He noticed several dead bats. The following winter, bats behaving erratically, bats with white noses and a few hundred dead bats in several caves came to the attention of New York Department of Environmental Conservation biologists, who documented white-nose syndrome in January 2007. Hundreds of thousands of hibernating bats have died since. Biologists with state and federal agencies and organizations across the country are still trying to find the answer to this deadly mystery.

We have found sick, dying and dead bats in unprecedented numbers in and around caves and mines from Vermont to Virginia. In some hibernaculum, 90 to 100 percent of the bats are dying.

While they are in the hibernaculum, affected bats often have white fungus on their muzzles and other parts of their bodies. They may have low body fat. These bats often move to cold parts of the hibernacula, fly during the day and during cold winter weather when the insects they feed upon are not available, and exhibit other uncharacteristic behavior.

Despite the continuing search to find the source of this condition by numerous laboratories and state and federal biologists, the cause of the bat deaths remains unknown. Recent identification of a cold-loving fungus could be a step toward an answer.

http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html

State and Service biologists are:

Winter monitoring of signs of WNS in caves and mines has been completed;

Service and state biologists are compiling data from the biennial winter count of Indiana bats;

Bat field work during early summer 2009 includes mist-netting* to determine the presence of bats and monitoring of known maternity colonies (groups of females that raise their young together) of little brown, big brown or Indiana bats. Monitoring can vary from counting bats as they emerge at sunset to attaching radio transmitters and following their roosting and feeding behaviors *(A mist net is a grid of thin nylon strands. Set between two upright poles, it resembles a large volleyball net. Mist-netting poses minimal risk of injury to trapped bats.);

Service and other federal biologists along with state and academic biologists attended a meeting in May 2009 hosted by Bat Conservation International to discuss potential avenues of research;

Service, state, U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service biologists met in May 2009 to develop strategies to control the spread and minimize the impacts of WNS. We have initiated a structured decision-making process to identify potential management options that could be implemented as soon as winter 2009-2010. The initial phase of the SDM process is nearing completion, and efforts are now under way to critically evaluate all potential management actions based on the most current scientific information;

The Service, in conjunction with many partners, is supporting experimental treatment of WNS-affected captive bats with damaged wings;

The U.S. Geological Survey has initiated a pilot study to determine if WNS can be identified in affected vs. unaffected bats through genetic analyses;

Service biologists and managers are working with commercial cave operators, caving groups, outing clubs, karst conservancies and others in several states, including Indiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee, to slow the potential spread of WNS; and

Service biologists are assisting in developing and distributing new information about WNS (e.g., WNS video at http://www.cavebiota.com/).

[Homicidalheathen]

oh to all you campers and climbers, if you frequent bat caves as I sometimes do, clean your gear (everything) when you leave before entering another cave as you can spread this

http://www.caves.org/WNS/

[dragonluv]

Thanks for sharing.

You probably know, but Cranbrook Museum had an exhibit about bats. I am not sure if it still there. I try to goggle the link about it, but my computer is acting stupid. You probably already aware, but you can get a free museum pass at your local library. I think Cranbrook Museum is part of the free tickets. The only downside, is that for some exhibits, you have to pay to see. I know that happen with the DIA and I think it was the Normal Rockwell exhibit, that you had to pay.

It due to me with my computer problems. So, calling my computer stupid is not correct. I am trying to learn more about the computer, and I been making errors in the process. I am trying to figure out my mistakes.

If I may, sending hugs.

Blessed Be/Take Care

[Homicidalheathen]

Actually the biologists at cranbrook are looking for a solution to the problem...in the mean time if anyone goes in a bat cave it is recommended you wash your clothes even upon leaving before entering another cave its THAT serious

In the mean time everyone should contribute the the survival of said species and put up a bat house you can order one very affordably through cranbrook

I am putting up 2 soon near a woods.

http://www.batroost.com/bathousesandfreebathouseplans.aspx

http://www.batconservation.org/content/BatZone.html

Edited July 8, 2009 by Homicidalheathen

[dragonluv]

That is cool to know they are studying for help here in MI. I do like learning new things. I just wish I could remember everything.

Thanks for the links. A wonderful Angel, gave me the suggestions to build up my computer knowledge. Because if the loans go through, I will be start school this fall in IT field. In the meantime, I been reading computer books and playing around with my computer.

Blessed Be Homicidal.

Edited July 8, 2009 by dragonluv

[pomba gira]

oh to all you campers and climbers, if you frequent bat caves as I sometimes do, clean your gear (everything) when you leave before entering another cave as you can spread this

http://www.caves.org/WNS/

"they" are actually asking everyone to just stay out of the bat caves... I think they've actually closed some larger ones in the Eastern states where this first showed up.

I want a bat house or five for my yard... I need all the mosquito-eating beasties I can get!

[Homicidalheathen]

they have closed MANY caves.

its good to check ahead now and even see if you can get in if your into that sort of thing. Or go in nakey and jump in a stream and wash when your done.

nakey camping and hiking is in now especially at summer solstice

[AstralCrux]

HH I was just thinking about getting a bat house for the back yard. I'm assuming it would require no permits. I haven't had a chance to check with City of Southfield. Though, considering they allow chickens- I'm thinking bat houses aren't a huge stretch.