-----Original Message----- From: Bat Conservation International <[email protected]> To: Roger Moore <[email protected]> Sent: Wed, Jan 29, 2014 2:37 pm Subject: WNS Spreads into Arkansas Dear supporters, Sadly, officials announced today that Arkansas is the 23rd state to confirm the presence of White-nose Syndrome (WNS), the devastating wildlife disease that has killed more than 5.7 million bats across eastern North America. The fungus that causes WNS, but not the disease itself, was detected in two caves in northern Arkansas last summer. This winter, WNS has begun killing Arkansas’ bats. Two dead northern long-eared bats (also known as northern myotis) that were found in a Marion County cave in January tested positive for WNS, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission reports. Both showed characteristic damage to their wing, ear and tail membranes. Since the discovery of WNS in 2006, populations of northern long-eared bats have declined by 99%. Because of this, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed last October that northern long-eared bats be listed as an Endangered Species. A final decision is due late this year. While we have made great progress in understanding WNS, the disease continues its tragic spread across the continent, and fatality rates approaching 100 percent are still being reported at some sites, even as scientists and conservationists search desperately for solutions. You can help by donating to BCI’s White-nose Syndrome Program and other critical conservation efforts at www.batcon.org/donate. As always, we will continue to send you the latest updates on all WNS developments. Warm regards, Andrew Walker Executive Director P.S. To learn more about White-nose Syndrome and its tragic impact on North American bats, please visit BCI’s website. Bat Conservation International P.O. Box 162603 Austin, TX 78716 Phone: (512) 327-9721 | Fax: (512) 327-9724 | Email: [email protected] Privacy Policy | Email Preferences & Opt-out © Bat Conservation International, Inc. __._,_.___ Reply via web post Reply to sender Reply to group Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (1) Recent Activity: Visit Your Group Switch to: Text-Only, Daily Digest • Unsubscribe • Terms of Use . __,_._,___
