Photo © Tom Cunningham
In the winter of 2006 a previously undescribed fungus was found in caves near Albany, New York. This fungus, now aptly named Geomyces destructans, has been associated with over one million bat mortalities since its debut in 2006. The fungal infection is damaging to the skin and wing membranes and can be seen covering the noses of hibernating bats. Although the fungus is suspected to be pathogenic, the main cause of mortality is still unknown.
Trailside Zoo has conducted annual bat surveys at a local mine since 2005 and just recently discovered signs of White-nose Syndrome during the winter of 2009. In an effort to protect this colony from further infection, Trailside has teamed up with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation and other bat experts around the country to find out why bats are dying and what we can do to save them.
