White-nose Syndrome
This bat syndrome was first noted 40 miles west of Albany, NY in 2006. Bats with this white-nose syndrome usually have a white fungus around their noses and occasionally on other body parts. It is unknown whether the fungus is what is killing the bats or if it is a symptom. In the winter of 2007 8,000 - 11,000 bats died. In 2008 biologists noted the syndrome in bats hibernating in sections of NY, southwest VT, western MA, and northwestern CT. As of 2010 the fungus has been noted in areas from Canada to Oklahoma to Tennessee. For further details and the latest info read the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service News: White-Nose Syndrome: Something is Killing Our Bats.
The PA Game Commission is prohibiting rehabilitation of any bats in PA. Rehabilitators are instructed to tell the public that if anyone finds a bat grounded, or even dead bats on the ground to call the PA Game Commission so that they can collect the specimens for testing. (Information provided by Robyn Graboski, Licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Centre County) Here are the phone numbers to call in PA and the counties in the different regions. You do have to call the regional office and they will dispatch the personnel in your area. Northwest Region - 814-432-3187 Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Jefferson, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties Southwest Region - 724-238-9523 Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties. Northcentral Region - 570-398-4744 Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Union counties Southcentral Region - 814-643-1831 Adams, Bedford, Blair, Cumberland, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, Perry and Snyder counties Northeast Region - 570-675-1143 Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northumberland, Pike, Sullivan Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties Southeast Region - 610-926-3136 Berks, Bucks, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties
PA Game Commission Contact Us
Web link to email comments and suggestions and contact info for headquarters and regional offices.
Bats flying during the day
Here is response from Game Commission re: sighting of a bat flying in Loyalsock State Forest about 1 PM 15 November 2009. The bat appeared to be catching insects and insects were noted in the air with snowcover on the ground. Game Commission was emailed in mid Dec.
Sent: Tue, December 15, 2009 10:21:39 AM
Subject: Day-flying bat report
Thank you for reporting your bat sighting to the PGC. Seeing a bat flying in a forested setting in November is actually not that unusual – even during daylight hours. This individual was likely trying to take advantage of every feeding opportunity prior to entering hibernation. Bats in forested settings will sometimes fly in low light conditions in order to extend their feeding hours. So while your sighting is somewhat suspicious, we will wait to see if other bats are reported flying in that area.
Please let us know if you find any grounded bats in the area. If you find a dead or dying bat, please call the PGC region office immediately or contact us via this online reporting system so that we can determine the need to collect the bat for testing. Again, thank you for taking the time to report your bat sighting.
Yours in conservation,
Lisa Williams
Wildlife Diversity Section
PA Game Commission
Wind Turbines and Bats
Here are two links describing how the change in air pressure from wind turbines kills bats:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7581990.stm
http://www.ucalgary.ca/news/aug2008/batdeaths
Bat Resources
A Homeowner's Guide to Northeastern Bats and Bat Problems - PSU, 1.45 MB; Learn the benefits of bats such as a single bat's ability to consume 500 insects per hour, including mosquitoes. Big brown bats consume June bugs, cucumber beetles, green and brown stink bugs, and leafhoppers. Certain forest bat species consume tent caterpillar moths. Also learn how to get a bat out of your house and to prevent bats from entering buildings.
Bat Conservation International - "BCI's mission is to teach people the value of bats, to protect and preserve critical bat habitats, and to advance scientific knowledge through research." Site includes bat info and bat boxes.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Infectious Diseases
Rabies Section MS G-33
1600 Clifton Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30333
Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control, 2005*
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5403a1.htm
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