White Nose Syndrome.mpg

An illness discovered three years ago in the northeast is spreading southward and is now threatening wildlife in Tennessee. Its called white nose syndrome, a fungus that appears on the faces, ears, wings and feet of hibernating bats. Scientists are puzzled by the disease that has already killed an estimated half million bats including nearly 25 thousand endangered Indiana bats. There is no evidence that white nose is harmful to humans, but it is killing bats at such a pace that drastic prevention methods have already been put in place here in Tennessee, as Wild Side Guide Ken Tucker explains. Ken mentions that caves located on public land in Tennessee are expected to be closed for at least one year to prevent the diseases spread. While biologists are still learning about white nose syndrome and so far there appears to be no risk to humans, officials urge taking precautions and not exposing yourself unnecessarily to the disease.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• White
• Nose
• Syndrome;
• bats;
• caves;
• tennessee;
• nature