USGS Late March Map and Bat Devastation in Pennsylvania

The US Geological Survey posted an updated map on March 21st for the progression of White Nose Syndrome throughout the United States.  Since the last posted map, on March 1st, populations have been confirmed to have WNS farther west and south along with populations further west in Canada. 

 

 An article posted on April 1st indicated that Pennsylvania's second largest bat colony, located in an abandoned mine in Buck's County, has been dealt a devastating blow.  This population of Little Brown Bats, which once numbered over 10,000 bats, has been reduced to only 23 remaining individuals due to White Nose Syndrome.  Of those 23, more than half are infected with the fungus.  The entire article may be found at  http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/1134/20130401/cave-10-000-bats-23-survive-mysterious-disease-killing.htm.  This new finding is devastating news for biologists as the number of bats who have fallen due to WNS is now estimated to have reached 6.7 million bats.