Bat-killing Fungus Detected in Vancouver

0:00A deadly fungus linked to white-nosed syndrome has turned up in bat droppings in Metro Vancouver and experts say the full disease hitting British. Columbia bats is just a matter of time. This marks the second detection of the fungus here since 2022, but no bats in BC have tested positive for the syndrome yet. It's already ravaged populations in every other Canadian province and 40 US states, mainly targeting a few vulnerable species out of BCs. The fungus messes with bats' hibernation, waking them up too often so they burn through fat reserves and starve by spring. Not all bats get hit hard, but ones like little brown myodis and tricolored bats are now endangered because of it. Humans can accidentally spread spores on clothes or gear from other areas, folks from community bat programs of BC. Know they can't stop if forever, especially with cases right across the border in Alberta and Washington state. They're boosting habitats, pushing back on bat myths and highlighting how these knife flyers much insects to protect farms and forests, acting like.

1:06Free pest control, they're urging everyone to coexist. Leave bat colonies alone if they're around, keep cats indoors at night to avoid predation and never touch bats. Bear handed due to rare rabies risk. Right now, through May 31st, snap photos of live bats from afar or report dead ones to help with counts, building resilience before the fungus. Fully arrives. That's the story for today. Vancouver News Today, driven by AI. I'm Cory with the story.