WNS - more bad news

"I’m writing today with tragic news about White-nose Syndrome (WNS), the disease that has been decimating North American bat populations for the past six years. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today that White-nose Syndrome has now killed more than 5.7 million bats. The new estimate, which some biologist believe might be conservative, ranges up to 6.7 million."

This was the beginning of an email I just received from Nina Fascione, the director of Bat Conservation International.  Just thought I'd spread the news.  

However, I thought I had just heard (on NPR perhaps?) that the rate of infection of WNS was starting to slow down - scientists were hoping a plateau had been reached.  Maybe I just dreamed that.  I'll have to do some research to see if this is so.  


In the meantime, the future isn't looking too rosy for my favorite mammal.  :(