White-Nose Syndrome Threatening Bats in Wisconsin

White nose syndrome spreading among bats in Wisconsin. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1/20/2015)

White-nose syndrome has killed more than 5.7 million bats in the eastern United States and Canada since its discovery in New York state in the winter of 2006 and 2007. The disease has been confirmed in 25 states and five Canadian provinces.

Wisconsin has one of the largest populations of hibernating bats in the Midwest, estimated at 350,000 to 500,000. In spring, they spread to locations in Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan and Indiana.