Scientists Fight Deadly Fungus That Might Make Bats Go Extinct

We couldn't imagine a proper Halloween party without the presence of bats, and we could apply this statement to most of the horror movies which showcase vampires, castles, coffins and sharp teeth.

Our nocturnal friends seem to be threatened by a mysterious, deadly disease, manifested throughout the “white nose syndrome.” The illness is responsible for several deaths in 16 states since it showed its first signs in 2006. At least 80% of the infected creatures had zero chances of survival.

At least, experts found the cause of the disease, but they are still far from providing a cure. The situation gets worse every day, since several species of bats have already been wiped off the face of the Earth.

Not even the brown little bat, the most common species in Northeast, can't seem to be able to fight the disease. The creatures are threatened to disappear from the region unless scientists take matter into their own hands and create a treatment to stop the deadline fungus from making new victims every day.

Experts from the US Geological Survey published a study in Nature, explaining the cause of death, but there is still no miraculous cure for the bat population, which will shortly face extinction unless proper measures are being developed.

The situation is quite serious, since scientists have established that 9 species are threatened by the white nose syndrome. This phenomenon does not only affect the bat population, it also has a damaging impact upon the entire ecosystem.

Since bats can't do their job properly, 700 fewer tonnes of insects threaten the crops of thousands of farmers.

Farmers can't rely on bats to eat the agricultural pests so they have to invest significant amounts of money to purchase toxic pesticides.

Crops can also turn out to be affected by this measure, since the influence of bats replaces the intervention of hazardous chemical substances in a successful manner.