White nose syndrome in Indiana

Researchers found two bats that appeared to be stricken with white nose syndrome while doing a winter survey of Endless Cave in Washington County, in southern Indiana. This Indiana TV station says the disease was confirmed in one of the bats. However, when last checked, the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s map (at bottom of page) still showed the incident as a suspected case of white nose syndrome. It may be updated by the time you read this.

In other white nose syndrome news, the cover story of the journal Conservation Biology examines white nose syndrome. The researchers conclude that culling sick bats won’t stop the spread of the disease.

Northeast bat numbers down in summer too

In this Biodiversity and Conservation paper, a US Forest Service researcher compares the results of an acoustic bat survey performed last summer at Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts to results from four years ago and finds that numbers are down 72 percent.

Photo: A healthy Indiana bat, courtesy US Fish and Wildlife Service

CWD found in Minnesota

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) may have been found for the first time in Minnesota’s wild deer herd.

A preliminary screening test strongly indicates that a deer harvested by a hunter last November near Pine Island in southeast Minnesota had Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). An official confirmation is expected by next week.


Read the rest of
this story, from WDIO, a Duluth-based TV station.

Photo Credit: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources