[PHOTO CREDIT: KAREN VANDERWOLF/NB MUSEUM]
Arkansas has become the 23rd state to confirm the presence of White-nose Syndrome (WNS) after 5 northern long-eared bats were found dead in January.
The fungus that causes WNS, but not the disease itself, was detected in two caves in northern Arkansas last summer. Recent research has determined that the fungus which causes WNS, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, can grow in caves in the absence of bats. This means it will be very difficult to remove the fungus from caves and any bats that enter infected caves may pick up the spores and develop WNS. Even caves that have not had bats for years still have viable fungus spores. Originally from caves in Europe, Pseudogymnoascus destructans now appears to be a permanent addition to North American cave ecosystems.
Karen Vanderwolf
Karen has been interested in the natural world for as long as she can remember, and she always knew her career would take her into the field of biology. Karen received her Masters of Science at the University of New Brunswick, where she studied bats and the pre-white-nose syndrome fungal flora that occurs on them. She completed her Bachelor of Science (Hons.) in biology at the University of Western Ontario. Karen has previously worked with Ontario Parks, performing plant and salamander field work; assisted in preparations for a Karner Blue Butterfly reintroduction; and worked with Swift Foxes, Wood Turtles and waterfowl.
