Declining U.S. Bat Population
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2011-11-07/declining-us-bat-population
Bats have lived in North America since the dinosaur age. The only mammals capable of flying, these creatures are often misunderstood as aggressive, blood-sucking predators. But bats are critical to the ecology of the United States because of their appetite for eating insects and ability to pollinate flowers and plants. In the past four years, millions of bats have died from a skin disease called white-nose syndrome. First detected in New York, the disease has all but wiped out the bat population of the northeast and has quickly spread to sixteen states. Diane and guests discuss concerns over the declining U.S. bat population.
Guests
Cynthia Moss
professor, University of Maryland; director, auditory and neuroethology bat laboratory
Dan Ashe
director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of the Interior
Mylea Bayless
conservations programs manager, Bat Conservation International
David Blehert
microbiologist, U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center
Comments
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Should have used a different picture if you wanted to make people feel positive toward bats; the one by Dan Ashe's editorial shows a cute bat. The one on this page looks scary.
A picture is worth ...
The loss of bats as pollinators is particularly crucial since we are also losing the other big group of pollinators - bees - at a rapid rate!
I lived in Austin and very often joined many people with picnics on the lawn of the Four Seasons Hotel in the early evening in the summer to watch the bats fly, which was a marvelous sight. They are Mexican free tail bats I am told. Are they affected by the white nose syndrome like our US bats?
I have been fascinated by bats forever. I don't think they're scary at all. They are actually very cute and provide much to our environment. Years ago the Cincinnati Zoo had a bat exhibit, including an oversized pair of bat ears in which one could stand and experience the effect of echolocation. I'm happy that you're doing this show on the value of bats.
Are they associating this increase in the fungi connected to the infections to warmer temperatures?
We have had a "pet" big brown bat who lives, seasonally in the thin space between a storm window and screen, on the east side of a wooded house; it allows us intimate view of him in all his vital beauty. I have charted his comings and goings for 12 enriching years. We love our Bobby the bat! Each winter when he leaves, I fear he won't come back, but we thrill to his return--so far, for 12 springs!
We have had a "pet" big brown bat who lives, seasonally in the thin space between a storm window and screen, on the east side of a wooded house; it allows us intimate view of him in all his vital beauty. I have charted his comings and goings for 12 enriching years. We love our Bobby the bat! Each winter when he leaves, I fear he won't come back, but we thrill to his return--so far, for 12 springs!
Do bats make their echo location by inhaling rapidly, thus aiding infection?
Larry, Cincinnati
Could we combat our dwindling bat population here by introducing or interbreeding European bats here in North America to take the place of our dying population? Or would that just create more problems?
Do bats in the DC area eat Asian Tiger mosquitoes that have proliferated in the DC area?
Can we set up bat houses in DC? How can we attract or create a bat colony in a DC area? Are there local codes or regulations that restrict doing this?
Thanks
Rob
Rosedale, DC
Do you see any connection between the disappearance of bees and the malformation of frogs that is occurring in the States?
There are 3 fun , great children's books by Dan Lies titled,
Bats at the Beach, Bats at the Library and Bats at the Ballgame.
They also have great illustrations of the bats as they go to places for fun. Mr. Lies is also a bat fan and his website includes information about bats. His books can help children shed their fear of bats and learn to care for them
Has
it been tried to breed us bats w/ European bats? Or introduce the european bats to the US ecosystem to test if indeed the European bats have developed an evolved response to this virus?
White-nose syndrome is affecting North American bats that hibernate in caves (and mines). Mexican (Brazillian) free-tailed bats do not hibernate (instead, they migrate). The colony in Austin, under the Congress Avenue Bridge, was actually saved from extermination, by Bat Conservation International (read the story at http://www.batcon.org/index.php/get-involved/visit-a-bat-location/congre...).
Is there any similarity between the fungus affecting bats and the fungus suspected of playing a role in the decline of bee populations?
The fungus appears to have been introduced from Europe and North American bats have no resistance.
This is an interesting story. I suggest that you contact Bob Locke, Director of Publications at Bat Conservation International (batcon.org). He's always looking for good stories for their quarterly magazine.
Some bats echolocate by using their larynx, and some others using their tongues.
Since the bats in Europe and in the US have developed separately over tens of millions of years, they probably wouldn't survive transplanting.
Secondly, White-nose Syndrome is itself an example of how introducing a species to a new environment usually has disasterous effects on the ecosystem.
I understand that bats help with reforestation after fires because they can deficate while flying. Most (all?) birds need to be sitting to perform this feat. So birds will help regrow a fire from the perimeter, but bats will be able to plant new seed on the interior. How accurate is my understanding?
Great question, which many people are asking. I wish we had the funding to perform that research, especially before the consequences spread even further. Encourage congress to support funding to understand and fight White-nose Syndrome, sign the petition https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/%21/petition/fund-fight-against-wh...
Great Show
I had a question about the impact of systemic pesticides such as the neonicotinoid class of pesticides reducing the strength of the immune system in bats that eating insects exposed to these chemicals lowering their resistance to the white nose fungus. These neonicotinoid chemicals appear to be the problem with our honeybees as our honey production has dropped off ever since local farmers and home gardeners started using these chemicals in our area around 2004. It now takes a lot more work to keep the bees alive through the winter and honey production is down approximately 700% from years prior to 2004.
Thank you
Dan
Carlisle, MA
I am listening to your wonderful show. I keep bees out here in coastal CA and hear a link between the Varora and tracheal mite problems in bees and this white nose fungal problem in bats. Could your guests comment?
I live in Carson City Nevada and have a colony of bats that live in my attic during the summer up to maybe 30-40 but the last few years the living space has been invaded by BAT BUGS and now I need to unfortunately evicted them..My question is ..do you have any suggestions or comments on this?
thanks, Bob
Don't change this picture! I totally disagree with the comment below about the bat looking scary. It's about as scary as a dog, cat or mouse really. Not every animal needs to look like a cute cartoon character. People need to be educated to appreciate the few truly wild animals we have left and how to be less fearful, more respectful and appreciative that we have ANY left. Save The BATS!
Thank you all for such an important topic, and the education provided. I was deeply saddened to learn about the plight of this most marvelous creature. It is my most fervent hope that people completely desist entering the hibernation caves in winter, and that those who enter at other times of the year do so responsibly. Thank you again.
Diane,
My neighbor Dave Johnson has 2 models of his handcrafted bat houses in the Barnesville Post Office. His are larger than most models found locally and he made them to fit the specs found online at the U of MD, research is ongoing using bats as an answer to the stink bug invasion.
I bought one last spring and he installed it at the pitch of my 1800s house facing the east.
I recommend his larger custom bat house to your listeners.
Tina Brown
Barnesville MD
Diane,
My neighbor Dave Johnson has 2 models of his handcrafted bat houses in the Barnesville Post Office. His are larger than most models found locally and he made them to fit the specs found online at the U of MD, research is ongoing using bats as an answer to the stink bug invasion.
I bought one last spring and he installed it at the pitch of my 1800s house facing the east.
I recommend his larger custom bat house to your listeners.
Tina Brown
Barnesville MD
Thank you for a great show. Bat Conservation International is a terrific organization. Another group is Organization for Bat Conservation. www.batconservation.org. They are very helpful if you have bat questions.
Please sign this petition to help get federal funding to study and control white-nosed syndrome.
https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions/%21/petition/fund-fight-against-wh...