The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing a $100,000 challenge to combat white-nose syndrome a lethal fungus that has killed millions of bats in North America and pushed some native bat species to the brink of extinction.
Funding will be awarded to individuals who identify innovative ways to permanently eradicate, weaken or disarm the disease. White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus that sometimes looks like white fuzz on bats’ muzzles and wings. The fungus infects bats during hibernation. Impacted bats wake up more frequently, which often die of dehydration and starvation before spring arrives.
The Fish and Wildlife Services' Dr. Johnathan Reichard details the effort...
"...This is an effort to reach out for innovative ideas to the broad community. We are seeking ideas to knock down, eliminate, disable the fungus that causes White-nose Syndrome..."
Dr. Reichard says the money will help pinpoint the most effective strategies to battle the fungus. Biologists first observed the impacts of white-nose syndrome in 2007 in caves near Albany, N.Y. Since then, white-nose syndrome has been confirmed in 33 states and seven Canadian provinces. At some affected sites, 90 to 100 percent of bats have disappeared.
Bats are estimated to save farmers at least $3.7 billion per year in pest control services.
Additional information regarding rules and eligibility is available at the websites
