Bat killer cause confirmed

Recent article from the BBC News – Bat killer cause confirmed

An extract from this article:

“White-nose syndrome (WNS), the disease rampaging its way through the bats of North America, is caused by a fungus, scientists have confirmed.

Researchers from a number of US institutions infected healthy bats with the fungus Geomyces destructans, and found they did develop the disease.

The team also showed that the fungus can pass from one bat to another.

Writing in the journal Nature, they say WNS “has the potential to decimate North American bat populations”.

So far, the disease has killed more than a million bats in the eastern US and Canada since it was first identified in New York state in 2006.”

Rise in mole numbers across UK

Andrew Plant of the BBC reported on 10 October 2011 that there has been a sharp rise in the number of moles this year, causing more problems than usual for golf courses, greenkeepers and gardeners across Britain.

The wet summer has led to a bumper year for earthworms, which the creatures feed on, and breeding conditions have also been ideal.

See the BBC Report