West Virginia DNR biologists fear a spreading fungus may have infected some of the state’s endangered bat species. Fungus was discovered by DNR personnel conducting their annual bat survey in several known hibernation caves in the state.
"These were two caves in Pendleton County," said Biologist Craig Stihler. "We had bats with fungus on them. We had bats that were behaving abnormally. We sent specimen’s off to the lab to be tested, so we won’t know for a few days if that’s what’s going on but it looks pretty suspicious."
The "white nose fungus" as it has been termed was first noticed in bat populations of the northeastern United States just over a year ago.
"We really didn’t expect it to move down here that quickly," Stihler said. "Our hope was by the time it got to West Virginia somebody would have figured out a treatment."
There is no treatment at this time. Stihler adds there isn’t a known cause either. Scientists nationwide are working on the syndrome and hoping to find its cause and ultimately a fix. It’s a major threat to the two endangered bat species in West Virginia. The Virginia Long Eared Bat and the Indiana Bat are listed on the Endangered Species List, but have had relatively stable and abundant populations in West Virginia.
Stihler says until they can advance their knowledge, they are taking every precaution they can.
"We completely changed our gear from one cave to the next and when we get back we thoroughly wash all our gear," said Stihler. "About all we can do is try not to spread it from cave to cave because right now nobody knows how to treat this problem."
Stihler suggests caving enthusiasts do the same or refrain from entering caves at all whether the fungus has been located.