Bats

"It's really quite astounding, since we don't really think about bats when we're out at night and then you put out these detectors and suddenly you get a picture of how busy the night air actually is.”

White-nose syndrome is a fungus that develops in the cave-dwellers during winter hibernation. It invades their skin and can be deadly. According to the Fish and Wildlife Service, it’s caused estimated population declines of more than 90% in affected colonies.

Idaho Matters takes a look at how White-nose syndrome is impacting bat populations, what people can do to help and how the fungus may be affecting other parts of the Gem state.

A recent paper out of Colorado State University suggests the loss of bats due white-nose syndrome costs U.S. agriculture up to $495 million a year.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to list the northern long-eared bat as endangered. The bat’s populations are being decimated by a fungal infection called white nose syndrome. While these bats only touch Montana and Wyoming in our region, they could spread this fungus to other hibernating bats in the Mountain West.

Some bats tested positive for rabies last month and for better or worse, this seems to be the only time bats are in the news. Animal resuers are concerned…

Court rules the City of Boise can't prosecute homeless people sleeping in public.Idaho’s first-ever guided tree climbing adventure comes to the Idaho…

A second rabid bat has been found in Idaho this season, this time in Boise County. The Central District Health Department reports the bat was found inside…

State officials say a bat has tested positive for rabies in southeastern Idaho and area residents should take precautions.Southeastern Idaho Public Health…