Second-Largest Bat Colony in Pennsylvania Reduced to 23 from 10,000 due to White-Nose Syndrome (Video)

Pennsylvania scientists have confirmed that the second-largest bat colony in the state has nearly gone extinct due to white-nose syndrome. A recent visit to the bats home-an abandoned iron ore-reveals that 10,000 bats who used to live there have been decimated to 23, and half are showing signs of a devastating illness.   

Pennsylvania Game Commissioner Greg Turner said that the bats were exhibiting signs of the disease that showed fungus on their muzzles and flying out of the cave during the daytime, according to PhillyBurbs.

As many scientists fear spreading the fungus further, they are hesitant to visit the colony for a period of two years. However, at this time, it is believed that there will be even fewer bats left!

In the midst of the disaster for this diminishing species, however, there is still a glimmer of hope. According to Go Lackawanna, there are approximately 1,000 to 2,000 brown bats in the region who have a good chance of survival if they make it through the season without becoming infected with fungus.

Regardless, scientists hope that six species of bats in the Northeastern United States can be classified as endangered species.

In 2011, investigators found the first traces of the illness in the colony, noting that it was too late to save many of them. In 2011, there were only 180 bats left.

White-nose syndrome is classified as a disorder that causes a fungus to grow on the noses of bats, which translates into them losing body fat need for function and habitat during the winter months. While the disease poses no immediate threats to humans, it has killed some 7 million bats in North America, according to UPI.

For now, scientists are not sure how the illness spread, but the predominant theory is that researchers picked up the fungus while examining bats in Europe and, without washing the garments, spread the illness to bats in North America.

Want to learn more about white-nose syndrome? Check out this video, courtesy of YouTube.