White-Nose Syndrome in Bats

Has anyone put any consideration into a possible connection to global warming? I know no one wants to hear more global warming hoo-haa but if you think about it, I live in VT and it was an off and on warm winter!

batman on übercrack

Some bat biologists theorize that local applications of pesticides directed at mosquitoes/moths may have affected the bats' metabolism enough to cause them to burn their winter fat reserves too quickly. Weakened starving bats could be more susceptible to opportunistic infections like the white-nose fungus.

This is indeed a death sentence for the majority. The population is unlikely to recover in our lifetime. I thought I heard elsewhere that they were dehydrated and that was one of the reasons they emerged from hibernacula so its not just a fat reserve situation. Ugh need more info soon but unfortunately these poor creatures don't get the appeciation that birds receive when events such as this occur.

Great video. Very informative. Thanks for sharing. Ms. von Oettingen does a great job explaining the WNS.

pt3 This is not only a concern for the sake of all bats, but for the sake of the biosphere they support, which includes us. Not only are they voracious consumers of insects, many of which are 'pests', in other parts of the world they are critical pollinators.

Since many bats have a range up to 50, even 100 miles and often visit several caves/mines, an infectious agent is suggested. Or perhaps a 'new' pesticide used locally has either killed off or poisoned the food supply ( flying insects ). The latter can be stopped. However if it is indeed an infectious agent, it could spread throughout the hemisphere. pt2

Confusing. She says early on that some of the bats have a fungus, white-nose. She then goes on to say that the bats are starving to death but are otherwise healthy. pt1

The fungus is a result of a weakened immune system from starving, it isn't the cause. It's a result.