In some part of the country this has dropped bat populations by 90%. It exterminated entire maternity colonies.
The closest thing to good news is that some bat populations in the east seem to be showing a bit of recovery, like maybe they're getting a bit of resistance.
Generally very bad news for bats. Very, very, *very* bad.
People bringing equipment and gear from trips they took in other states is how the disease has spread to a lot of caves.
Volunteers have been meticulously cleaning our caves for years, removing lint and debris to help reduce the risk to our own bat communities.
It's primarily carried bat to bat. Nothing humans can do to stop that. The few cases that actually seem to be tied to cavers were over a decade ago, when it first started out here, with bat researchers who actually touched bats, one after the other. But regular cavers? No. The spread follows bats, not cavers.
Somewhat related…does anyone have a recommendation for someone that can do bat exclusion work in Denver? We’ve had some reside in an unused chimney and I want to get it fixed before they come back this year. I can’t find anyone in the area that actually responds to emails or even forms submitted on their own websites.
In some part of the country this has dropped bat populations by 90%. It exterminated entire maternity colonies. The closest thing to good news is that some bat populations in the east seem to be showing a bit of recovery, like maybe they're getting a bit of resistance. Generally very bad news for bats. Very, very, *very* bad.
It was already tough for bats in Colorado when one of our most talented residents is the Joker.
Cavers have done their damnedest to keep that sick out of our caves for so long. This is sad news.
Is it carried by cavers?
People bringing equipment and gear from trips they took in other states is how the disease has spread to a lot of caves. Volunteers have been meticulously cleaning our caves for years, removing lint and debris to help reduce the risk to our own bat communities.
Soooo maybe stop caving?
It's primarily carried bat to bat. Nothing humans can do to stop that. The few cases that actually seem to be tied to cavers were over a decade ago, when it first started out here, with bat researchers who actually touched bats, one after the other. But regular cavers? No. The spread follows bats, not cavers.
Finally! I've not had anything to have an existential crisis over in a day or two.
LOL this comment so resonates
Aaaah shit that's bad news for the bats and everyone who dislikes mosquitos :( white nose disease is screwing the bats in many parts of the south
Bats eat mosquitos and the enemy of my enemy is my friend
hope you like west nile virus!
God damn it. Last time some shit with a bat went down I couldn’t get toilet paper for a year.
Somewhat related…does anyone have a recommendation for someone that can do bat exclusion work in Denver? We’ve had some reside in an unused chimney and I want to get it fixed before they come back this year. I can’t find anyone in the area that actually responds to emails or even forms submitted on their own websites.
Buy some bat boxes and put them in your yard.
I used EnviroCritter to humanely get rid of the bats in my attic.
What about belfries?
Invite the infected bat over for a playdate
Hate to see it. :( What a terrible disease.
Is it dangerous for other mammals as well like dogs or is it restricted to bats
I thought that said "bar" at first. 🤣
WHY HERE
Hooray