Arkansas bats will benefit from a portion of $1.1 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to combat white-nose syndrome, according to a news release from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. White-nose syndrome has killed millions of bats in the U.S. in the past decade.
The grant money will go to Bat Conservation International of Birmingham, Ala., and three other grantees. Also, experimental treatments will be started in Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada, according to the news release.
White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus and presents itself as a white growth on infected bats' muzzles and wings, according to the National Park Service. It disrupts hibernation and can lead bats to starve to death.
At least one bat species in Arkansas -- the northern long-eared bat -- is considered "threatened" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
NW News on 11/06/2018