Bats are an essential part of our ecosystem but with the rapid advance of White-nose Syndrome (WNS) towards B.C. bats could be headed for major losses, and could even be pushed to the point of extinction in some cases.
Bats are an important part of our ecosystem because they help maintain balance with insect populations. Insect eating bats such as the ones found in Canada are primary predators of night-flying insects. In a given night a single bat can eat as much as its own body weight in insects!
There are between 900-1100 different species of bats in the world and they represent one fifth of all the mammal species known. In Canada there are 19 different species and 16 of those species are found in B.C. Of the 16 species found in B.C., 14 are susceptible to WNS and many of these species are already either endangered or recognized as a species at risk. If WNS was to move into B.C. the effects on the bat community would be absolutely devastating.
Since the discovery of the White-nose Syndrome in early 2006 near Albany, NY the syndrome has quickly spread into winter hibernation sites (hibernaculum) all over the eastern United States. As of last winter (2009-2010) there have been several confirmed sites of White-nose Syndrome within Ontario and Quebec. It is now thought that the syndrome has affected every cave containing bats within the state of New York (source).
 |
| For full-size click here |
- Identifying compounds that will kill Geomyces destructans
- Looking at how WNS is transmitted and finding control measures
- Developing a quick method for testing for WNS
- Continuing the effort of conducting population surveys
- Tracking the movements of WNS.
One does not expect to find a positive side to the WNS in this very grim subject. However, there may be something good with WNS after all! Through all of this it is easy to get caught up with the factual information and overlook a very important aspect that should be recognized. WNS has brought many of us together; the RP Biologists doing full time studies, the volunteers putting in countless hours, the concerned citizens wanting to help the distressed bats, the elementary school-kids writing letters to the government asking to fund research. I think this is important because when we all come together we can do amazing things and these bats have a fighting chance against this devastating disease.
There is still a chance to be a super hero. Will you be the next Batman or Batwoman?
Have any questions or do you think you have the answer to all our prayers? I want to hear from you! Please leave a comment below.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIts scary to think about the possibilty of WNS affecting the bats in our own backyard. I remember as a young boy, I would sit on the patio at my grandparents house and watch bats dart in between the trees of the forest behind their house as darkness began to set. As far as I knew, I thought there was only one type of bat in B.C.. Its intesting that there are so many in our province. However, it is also scary to know there is such a large number of mammals at risk of contracting WNS. If WNS were to reach our province, I am curious how long it would take to spread throughout the populations devestating our BC bat community. Would it be a matter of a couple years, or as long as a couple decades?
ReplyDeleteIts nice to know that our bats our safe for now. Hopefully in the near future there will be more publications on the WNS and its effects on bats. I truly hope that the possibility of WNS can be prevented. It would be a shame to lose them. I hope I will be able to watch the bats darting around our area eating the pesky mosquitos for years to come! Thanks for enlightening me on the subject Matt :)
Very interesting subject Matt. It looks like the bats in the east don't relly have much of a chance. Hopefully some of the new research will find a way to slow or even stop the disease/fungus. Is there any indication on how long it could be until WNS hits our province? Is there any kind of plan right now to try and contain the spread of the disease?
ReplyDeleteScary. Its strange how so many people, me included, could be so oblivous to such a major issue. It makes me wonder if the way bats are seen by the public has anything to do with it. I'm sure if there was a disease killing bunnies people would be a lot quicker call for a solution.
ReplyDelete