Forest Service Tries to Halt Spread of Bat Fungus
Save Email Print
Bookmark and Share
Updated: 11:08 AM May 4, 2009
Forest Service Tries to Halt Spread of Bat Fungus
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)
The U.S. Forest Service is preparing to close thousands of caves in an effort to control a bat-killing fungus.
Posted: 10:12 AM May 1, 2009
width:300 and height: 196 and picwidth: 240 and pciheight: 156
Little Brown Bat with White Nose Syndrome (Courtesy: Craig Stihler, WV Division of Natural Resources)
Font Size:

The U.S. Forest Service is preparing to close thousands of caves and former mines across the eastern United States in an effort to control a bat-killing fungus.

Biologist Becky Ewing said the emergency order was issued last week for caves from New England to West Virginia.

A second order for southeastern states will be issued soon.

Ewing said the order closes the caves for a year as wildlife biologists try to get a handle on a fungus that has been linked to the deaths of some 500,000 bats.

White-Nose Syndrome gets its name from a white powdery substance on the bat's face and wings.

Ewing said the decision to close the caves came after the fungus was reported near large populations of endangered bats.
First Alert Weather
WHSV Poll
A committee in the House of Delegates has sent a bill to the House floor that would allow private, faith-based adoption agencies to discriminate against prospective parents based on their sexual orientation. Would you support this?

Yes, I think if it is a private organization it's okay.
No, there should be no discrimination.
It should depend on a case by case basis.


National NDN Video
WHSV - TV 3 on Facebook