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|  » Stats |
Members: 50,157
Threads: 82,349
Posts: 853,287
Top Poster: glsammy (15,069)
| | Welcome to our newest member, Ye Olde Justin | |  | 
09-02-2011, 07:33 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,658
| | | threat to bats?
I have just reread an article in the Independent about massive deaths of bats in the USA. I thought it might be of interest to the battier members of WAB . . .
On the close order of 1 million bats across 6 species have died of White Nose Syndrome, WNS, in the USA. The agent of infection is a fungus, Geomyces destructans. The fungus infects the skin of the bats and destroys the skin, causing the snout to turn frosty white. There are two main modes of transmission of the fungus. When the bats are hibernating, they are in close physical contact and the fungus travels easily to an uninfected bat. The fungus is transmitted from one cave to another by humans who visit the caves.
This becomes a matter of concern to WAB because the fungus has now reached Europe, where it has killed bats of 5 species. The number of deaths is low thus far, but it seems to be a recent arrival. One might assume that British bats are protected by our island status, but if the fungus can cross the Atlantic, the Channel won't be much of a barrier. I'm sure that people directly involved with bat conservation are more au fait with the situation but it may be worth our while finding out more. Should we avoid bat roosts? Should we make a point of reporting bat colonies even where they are not a problem?
Over to you Batman. . .
Ric
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I have decided to live forever - or die trying. |
09-02-2011, 08:45 PM
|  | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 10,729
| | | Re: threat to bats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by STYRBJORN  This becomes a matter of concern to WAB because the fungus has now reached Europe, where it has killed bats of 5 species. The number of deaths is low thus far, but it seems to be a recent arrival. One might assume that British bats are protected by our island status, but if the fungus can cross the Atlantic, the Channel won't be much of a barrier. | The issue is migrant species, in Britain we get species such as nathusius pipistrelle which are migrant from mainland Europe and could transmit the disease if infected. It is slightly worrying although a lot of our species roost alone or hibernate alone. Quote:
Originally Posted by STYRBJORN I'm sure that people directly involved with bat conservation are more au fait with the situation but it may be worth our while finding out more. Should we avoid bat roosts? Should we make a point of reporting bat colonies even where they are not a problem? | Bat colonies should be reported to local bat groups regardless this makes their protection and monitoring far easier. Care should be taken when entering a bat roost, they should be avoided anyway unless it is really necessary. If this becomes an issue and human infection is high then all clothing equipment etc should be cleaned thoroughly.  |
09-02-2011, 08:50 PM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 10,729
| | | Re: threat to bats?
WAB wont let me edit my post, so additionally to avoid confusion not all nathusius pipistrelle are migrants but it is a migratory species and part of our population is made up of vagrants/migrants. As are several other species.  |
11-02-2011, 08:54 PM
| | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,658
| | | Re: threat to bats?
Dogghound - thanks for that. I must admit that I expected more responses, but you have clarified the position for me. I do tend to keep knowledge of rare-ish wild life to myself.
Ric
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I have decided to live forever - or die trying. |
11-02-2011, 09:02 PM
| | Knight Grand Cross of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 10,729
| | | Re: threat to bats?
I thought there would be more interest too. I keep a casual interest in Bats as through my Job I do bat survey's etc. So its always interesting to hear news like this. I tend not to deal with to many actual bats as I dont have a handling license but I am often present at these events so will keep a look out for ill bats.
I agree its often important to keep some things to yourself, however if its reported to an appropriate source then it can be very important. It helps people to know about existing colonies, species etc especially during development and building process. So that high stands of mitigation can be achieved. I know if we request data like this it is confidential due to its sensitive nature. |
11-02-2011, 09:20 PM
|  | Moderator | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Belvedere, Kent
Posts: 10,029
| | | Re: threat to bats?
I thought a license was needed to enter a bat roost? Assuming you know it's a bat roost of course.
I'll pass this on the the warden at Crossness just in case any bats have started to use the hibernaculum there - they haven't in previous winters.
Dave P.
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(a.k.a. "Horizontal Dave")
"A good man is hard to find, especially if he's hiding. In a field. With combat fatigues and a false beard." - Wilson Dixon |
11-02-2011, 09:46 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2,982
| | | Re: threat to bats?
Don't feel that lack of response equates with lack of interest. Information noted and filed in brain.
__________________
Genio Terrę Britannicę |
12-02-2011, 02:13 PM
|  | Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: On the southern boundary of the Lake District National Park.
Posts: 4,584
| | | Re: threat to bats?
I think one of the problems in the UK is that there is such a small percentage of the bat population observed in hibernaculae and therefore the probabilty of encountering WNS is very low at this time.
The percentage of bats with WNS in Europe is currently low but of concern.
Four weeks ago I was assisting a team of bat workers take WNS samples from bats in probably Europes largest hibernacula. Despite being called WNS the fungus can appear anywhere on the body of the bat and is quite obvious.
All due bio-security measures have been taken by the UK contingency assisting in this task.
Dogghounds comments re bio-security are valid. Licenced bat workers dealing with hibernating bats often work in different areas and even countries so disinfection is paramount. |
13-02-2011, 09:07 AM
|  | Knight Commander of the Wild Empire | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: N.E.SOMERSET
Posts: 9,044
| | | Re: threat to bats?
Quote:
Originally Posted by STYRBJORN I have just reread an article in the Independent about massive deaths of bats in the USA. I thought it might be of interest to the battier members of WAB . . .
On the close order of 1 million bats across 6 species have died of White Nose Syndrome, WNS, in the USA. The agent of infection is a fungus, Geomyces destructans. The fungus infects the skin of the bats and destroys the skin, causing the snout to turn frosty white. There are two main modes of transmission of the fungus. When the bats are hibernating, they are in close physical contact and the fungus travels easily to an uninfected bat. The fungus is transmitted from one cave to another by humans who visit the caves.
This becomes a matter of concern to WAB because the fungus has now reached Europe, where it has killed bats of 5 species. The number of deaths is low thus far, but it seems to be a recent arrival. One might assume that British bats are protected by our island status, but if the fungus can cross the Atlantic, the Channel won't be much of a barrier. I'm sure that people directly involved with bat conservation are more au fait with the situation but it may be worth our while finding out more. Should we avoid bat roosts? Should we make a point of reporting bat colonies even where they are not a problem?
Over to you Batman. . .
Ric | I do try and keep up with WAB and Bat news but often I have to trawl through loads of posts going back months for the odd Bat thread as there is no way of being alerted to a particular forum interest.
I do have a google alert for general bat news but bat/BAT is also British and American Tobbacco and I recieve too many notifications which are dross.
I have picked up your thread as I was doing my WAB Bat thread sifting.
I do get other news through Avon Bat Group and the Bat Conservation Trust
as I am a member of both.
PS I found this old extended thread you may find interesting More Bat related
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Last edited by nightshade; 13-02-2011 at 09:13 AM.
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