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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...Tell Congress to Fund Efforts to Save Bats
Over the past four years, more than a million bats have died in the eastern U.S. from white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungus that is making its way across the country and is also threatening bat populations in Canada and quickly becoming an ecological disaster.
White-nose syndrome (WNS), identified by a white fungus, Geomyces destructans, on the faces and wings of affected bats, was first documented in New York in 2006. Since then, it has made its way to 18 states and four Canadian provinces killing tri-colored, little brown, northern long-eared, big brown, small-footed and Indiana bats, which are listed as an endangered species.
Meanwhile, scientists have been working hard to figure out why it’s affecting bats here, and more importantly, how to stop it. Scientists believe the disease is being spread between bats, but also strongly believe that it is being spread by humans who visit caves.
“The loss of bats from WNS will have severe implications for our economy and our environment. Bats are primary predators of night-flying insects, including expensive agricultural pests that damage corn, soybean, cotton and other crops. By consuming these insects, bats reduce the need for chemical pesticides and lower food-production costs, saving U.S. farmers $3.7 to $53 billion a year,” according to Bat Conservation International.
TAKE ACTION
Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) and Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) are asking members of the House of Representatives and Senate to join them on letters to Interior Appropriations Subcommittee leadership in support of providing much-needed funds to combat WNS.
Send a letter to your representatives by Monday May 16, asking them to sign these letters.
The Forest Service is also accepting public comments on cave restrictions in the Northern Region, which includes North Dakota, Montana, north Idaho, and northwest South Dakota until May 28. You can email the FS to submit your comment at: usfs_r1_regional_forester@fs.fed.us
The Bureau of Land Management is also accepting comments about the proposed closure of caves and abandoned mines in Colorado, where WNS has not yet been found until June 3. You can submit your comment in writing to:
Bureau of Land Management,
Colorado River Valley Field Office
ATTN: Brian Hopkins
2300 River Frontage Rd.
Silt, CO 81652
(970) 876-9073
Read more: animal welfare, bats, caves, endangered species, fungus, white nose syndrome, wns
Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usfwsnortheast/
Marvin Moriarty/USFWS
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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144 comments
+ add your ownI think it would be a great idea if people built a lot of bat houses. I can tell you there are way to many flying insects in the U.S.!!!
Not a sentimental issue:
If we lose the bats and the bees we could very well starve and see society collapse; agriculture is the backbone of civilization.
I love bats. They are a valuable part of our ecosystem. We need to save them
Although bats give me the creeps. I would to see them goextinct because then they'd still give me the creeps but I'd be getting the creeps ecause they'sr no longer with us.
I hope what I just said makes some sense.
Bats are essential for our ecosystem. We need them to stem off the influx of insects. They also help in pollination! Please wake up and see the pesticides and herbacides kill everything!!! Save these misunderstood creatures!
We need bats. They are a big help in controlling mosquitos and other night flying insects. A friend of mine wishes any bats she sees heading out at dusk--happy hunting and bon appetit.
They are a very interesting species. I watched a recent episode of "Great Migrations" that showed them migrating to eat eucalyptus blossums. The females lost 2/3rds of their body weight nursing their young and became almost too weak to fly and it showed them folding their "arms" around their young to protect them. They'd hang upside down from branches & cover their heads to take a "nap"..........have to envy them that ability! They are a very peaceful species, actually.........nothing to fear from them at all. The "vampires" are a very small sub-species, and also rarely are a problem. They feed on cattle and other large mammals, such as oxen, antelope, and take so little blood, they aren't even noticed by their "hosts". Yes, they CAN carry rabies, but it's extremely, EXXTREMELY rare.
We are fortunate to live on a hill just above a small protected wetland habitat...many nights I can hear the bats flying around after the "muggles" have settled down for the night. It's always good to know they're still here (the bats that is...)
If we lose what is left of the animals and natural environment ...budgets will be irrelevent because we won't be here anymore either. There is plenty of money in this country... it's being intentionally hoarded by the "corporate aristocracy" as they effect the unannounced "culture change" that has been in progress for decades. Destroying the natural environment and the life within it is just the stupidest, dumbest thing that could possibly be done by humans. Nature WILL talk back and rebalance. . .it's just how life works. . .it's always been that way. What on earth would ever make anybody think that a bunch of greedy overextended human egos could possibly change that. Just looking up at the sky at night should provide some clues. Hopefully, we will save these bats.
"I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend?" ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985
Thank-you Alicia for all you do. If I find I am near bats that are threatened, I will definitely build a bat house.
I think that not enough people care about bats.It's sad.
thank you.
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