BEND, Ore. (AP) — Federal authorities in the Northwest are working on plans to prevent, or at least slow, a fungus responsible for the deaths of millions of bats in eastern states.
The fungus frosts the bats’ muzzles — so it’s called white nose syndrome.
The bats awaken in mid-hibernation. Weak, they die when they leave their caves seeking insects in winter.
The fungus showed up in New York state in 2006, likely imported by a caver. Federal officials say it’s killed about 6 million bats east of the Mississippi River.
Agencies urge people who have been in caves where the fungus is found to decontaminate their gear and clothes.
