Bats are a fascinating part of the ecological chain here in south central Texas and Bracken Bat Cave, just north of San Antonio, is the home of the largest bat colony in the world. But wildlife experts are very alarmed at the spread of a disease that has already decimated the country's bat population by the millions. And local experts say they have some concerns here too.
Bracken Bat Cave is the home of up to 20-million bats. Now most have gone, they've migrated to warmer spots. But it's the migration that experts and are concerned about. Concerned because it may be transporting a deadly fungus that's responsible for the largest death of any wildlife in recorded history.
White Nose Syndrome kills hibernating bats by starvation and dehydration leaving the classic white color around the nose. While it has not been found here at Bracken or any of the Texas caves, some experts say it's very possible.
Estimates just released days ago by U.S. Fish and Wildlife say about six million bats died in the U.S. the last four years. Since 2007, White Nose has spread from New York state where it was first discovered, to the southwest-- most recently detected in Oklahoma.
James Eggers with Bat Conservation International says most Mexican Freetail bats don't seem to be affected by White Nose, but he adds, "we also have some similar bats called Cave Myotis. Cave Myotis do hibernate and they could be killed by the disease."
Those bats share this cave with the migrating Mexican Freetail. but there's also real concern that these local bats could be part of the reason it's spreading.
Eggers says the concern is local bats could be carriers of the disease. "The Mexican Freetails could transport it to other locations where there are bats that hibernate that could die from the disease."
Losing large numbers of bats means losses in natural insect and pest control, costing billions in agriculture dollars. This summer is going to be very important because bat experts will be here waiting when the bats return from the south, to see if there's any sign of the disease.
Source: Woai
