Wildlife

Endangered Bats

The United States declared that the northern long-eared bat is endangered because the species has been driven to the brink of extinction by white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease. “White-nose syndrome is decimating cave-dwelling bat species like the northern long-eared bat at unprecedented rates,” said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams.

The disease was first identified in 2006 and has since infected 12 different types of bats, killing millions. It attacks bats’ wings, muzzles and ears when they hibernate in caves and mines. Spinning wind turbines are also killing large numbers of the species.

Pelican Deaths

An outbreak of avian influenza in Peru in recent weeks has resulted in the deaths of more than 5,500 pelicans. They join more than 7,500 other birds in Peru that have been killed by the H5N1 avian influenza strain, according to biologists.

H5N1 can spread extremely quickly between birds through their droppings and saliva.

There have also been large outbreaks of bird flu in Asia, Europe and the United States, forcing the culling of millions of poultry during the past two years. But globally, large numbers of wild birds have also been killed by the virus this year, with sea birds being especially hard hit.