Bats rebound in NY caves first hit by white-nose

[xchrom]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_BAT_DIE_OFF?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2012-04-19-15-26-51

VOORHEESVILLE, N.Y. (AP) -- Researchers found substantially more bats in several caves that were the first ones struck by white-nose syndrome, giving them a glimmer of hope amid a scourge that has killed millions of bats in North America.

Figures released Thursday by the state Department of Environmental Conservation showed notable increases in the number of little brown bats in three out of five upstate New York hibernation caves where scientists first noticed white nose decimating winter bat populations six years ago. The largest cave saw an increase from 1,496 little browns last year to 2,402 this winter.

There are hopes this is an early sign that bats can adapt to a disease that has spread to 19 states and Canada. But scientists caution it's far too early to tell if it is the start of a trend or a statistical blip.

"While we remain cautiously optimistic of encouraging trends for some species seen more recently, it will likely take several years before we fully know how to interpret this," said Kathleen Moser, the agency's assistant commissioner of natural resources.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That's great news! We need our bats! n/t

[xchrom]

2. +1

[kristopher]

3. +1

[dballance]

4. Yep, they are natural pest control

we really need to start looking at how we're messing up eco-systems but there is no profit like Wall Street profit in that so I don't hold much hope.

[Dead_Parrot]

5. That's a relief... nt