Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

Richard Hurd (CC BY 2.0)

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

Bats are both familiar and exotic, and inspire intense emotions among people who encounter them. Beyond their cultural status, though, many types of bats play an important economic role in agriculture and tourism by feeding on copious numbers of insects. Wisconsin lies within the range of at least eight bat species, with half migrating south in winter while the remainder hibernate in caves, mines and structures. Hibernating species face an unparalleled threat from an invasive fungus that causes a disease called white-nose syndrome. But Wisconsin is also a center of scientific efforts to save these species. Legions of volunteers collect crucial data about the number and health of the state's bats, and scientists are working to develop a vaccine against the deadly fungus.

White-Nose Syndrome Increasingly Affecting Wisconsin Bats

Video:

Frederica Freyberg

PBS Wisconsin

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources conservation biologist J. Paul White said white-nose syndrome, a fungal infection, cause bats to wake from hibernation, forcing them into winter conditions they cannot handle.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

What's The Status Of Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome?

Audio:

Rachael Vasquez

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

In North America, bat populations continue to suffer from a fatal disease called white-nose syndrome, which was first spotted in Wisconsin five years ago. WisContext associate editor Will Cushman discusses how the state's bats have been affected by this disease.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

UW-Madison Study Explores Bats As Skeeter-Eaters

Audio:

Chuck Quirmbach

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

Scientists have long known bats consume mosquitoes. But UW-Madison researchers wanted to learn more about the flying mammals versus the buzzing bugs.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

As White-Nose Syndrome Decimates Bat Populations, Researchers Look For Cure

Audio:

Chuck Quirmbach

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

It's been 10 years since a bat-killing fungus was first discovered in the northeastern United States. The white fungus and the disease it causes — white-nose syndrome — is now found in 31 states, including Wisconsin.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

Bat-Killing Disease Spreading In Wisconsin

Audio:

Chuck Quirmbach

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

More than 80 percent of Wisconsin counties with known wintertime habitats for bats now have bats infected with white-nose syndrome.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

Fall Nights Bring Out The Bats As They Migrate

KP Whaley

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

The little brown bat migration in Wisconsin has started.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

DNR Reports New Bat Species In Wisconsin

Audio:

Chuck Quirmbach

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources researchers say they've discovered a new species of bat living in Wisconsin. The so-called evening bat was previously thought to summer only as far north as Illinois.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

Thousands Of Bats Living Beneath I-90 Bridge Are Getting New Homes

Audio:

Hope Kirwan

Wisconsin Public Radio

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WPR

As construction continues on the new Interstate 90 bridge to Minnesota, officials with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are working with the Department of Transportation and Minnesota agencies to accommodate a large colony of bats living under the old bridge.

Series: Civic Science In Wisconsin

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

Watching The Bats Of Wisconsin

Karen Faster

WisContext

From loon-watchers to fighters of invasive species, Wisconsin is home to many groups engaged in citizen science. One example of a citizen science effort of this type in the state is the Wisconsin Bat Monitoring Project.

Series: Wisconsin's Bats And White-Nose Syndrome

After 5 Years, White-Nose Syndrome Is Devastating Wisconsin Bats

Will Cushman

WisContext

A handful of North American bat species that were once common in Wisconsin are possibly heading toward extinction, or at least disappearance from the state.