DEC to the public: do not disturb bats |

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is urging outdoor adventurers to suspend exploration of cave and mine sites that can serve as seasonal foci for bats in New York. hibernation.

Human disorders are particularly damaging to the state's bat population since the arrival of the so-called white nose syndrome, which killed more than 90% of bats at hibernation sites in New York according to a press release from DEC.

WHITE NOSE SYNDROME

"The white nose syndrome makes bats extremely sensitive to disturbance," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos.

"Even one visit, apparently calm, can kill bats that otherwise would survive in the winter. If you see bats in hibernation, badume you are hurting and leave immediately. "

All posted notices limiting the use of caves and mines should be followed.

USE THE GREASE

If New Yorkers or visitors encounter bats hibernating in hiding, DEC encourages them to leave the premises as quickly and quietly as possible.

When bats are disturbed during hibernation, this forces them to increase the temperature of their body, thus reducing their fat reserves.

This stored fat is the only source of energy available to bats until the weather warms up in the spring.

NATIONAL WEEK OF BAT

The message came at the start of National Bats Week, October 24-31, a celebration of bats and their role in nature organized by representatives of nature and wildlife groups. government agencies in the United States and Canada.

Two bat species are currently protected by federal law and state endangered species law.

The Indiana bat, which is scattered throughout the state of New York, is a federally endangered bat before the white nose syndrome begins to affect bat populations.

The Northern bat is protected as a species under threat by federal law and the Endangered Species Act of the State of New York.

The current population of this once-common bat is about 1% of its previous size, making it the most severely affected species in the white nose syndrome.

MUCH IN NY

Nevertheless, northern Nordic bats are still widespread in New York. Their presence is documented in most of the approximately 100 caves and mines that serve as sites for hibernating bats in the state.

Anyone entering a hibernation site of a Northern bat from October 1 to April 30, the typical period of hibernation of bats, may be subject to prosecution .

There is currently no cure for bats with white nose syndrome. In collaboration with the New York State Department of Health, DEC is collaborating with researchers at the National Wildlife Health Center in Madison, Wisconsin, as well as with experts from several universities across the country for better understand the disease and develop a treatment. This collaboration has identified that reducing disturbance to hibernation sites during the winter can help the remaining animals survive.

For more information on White Nose Syndrome, visit the White Nose Syndrome intervention team's website. Detailed information on the protection of the Northern bat is available on the DEC website.