Follow a scientist tracking White Nose Syndrome of bats

Since 2007 White-nose Syndrome (WNS) has been associated with the death of millions of cave bats (especially Little Brown Bats, Myotis lucifugus) in North America.  Since the first detection of WNS in Canada in 2010, various organizations have joined together to undertake the difficult task of studying this disease and the fungus that causes it (Geomyces destructans).  There is currently no known treatment for WNS and it is causing great concern about the rapid spread to new areas and the devastatingly high mortality it has been shown to cause in infected bat populations.  Karen Vanderwolf is a researcher at the New Brunswick Museum who is studying WNS and the fungus that causes it.   Their work includes surveillance of several known bat hibernacula in New Brunswick.  People are encouraged to follow this group via their blog (http://www.cwf-fcf.org/en/conservation/blog/authors/karen-vanderwolf.html) as they explore the caves of New Brunswick and learn more about how WNS is affecting the local bat populations.

If you wish to learn more about White-nose Syndrome, there are many online resources available.  Click on any of the following headings to be directed to related information: