Sometimes a wildlife biologist's job is more detective than biologist. The rapid spread of White Nose Syndrome (WNS) from New York into New England, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia is an excellent example. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is asking the public for help in detecting the disorder's spread.

First observed near Albany, N.Y., in 2006, WNS seems to be a fungal disease that spreads in hibernacula during the winter when large numbers of bats concentrate in caves. The PGC reports that WNS is probably caused by a cold-loving fungus, though it's still unclear whether the fungus is the cause or a symptom of the disease.

Studies at the National Wildlife Health Center indicate that the fungus attacks the skin and then migrates to underlying connective tissue. Because the fungus is transmitted from bat to bat, WNS moves quickly through a hibernating bat colony. The infection arouses bats, and causes them to fly. Then they deplete their fat reserves and die.

Today WNS is known to exist in 11 locations in Bucks, Centre, Mifflin, Lackawana and Lucerne Counties, and it has infected all six bat species that hibernate in Pennsylvania caves. Biologists estimate that as many as a million bats from New England to West Virginia may have already succumbed to the disorder.

So far, WNS has not appeared west of I-99, where many of the state's largest bat colonies hibernate. Greg Turner, PGC endangered mammals biologist suggests that the Allegheny Front may be a physical barrier to bat movements.

"If anyone observes flying or dying bats in Western Pennsylvania this winter," he said, in a press release, "we definitely want to hear about it. Reports from areas west of Centre and Mifflin counties will be treated as extremely high priority."

To report active or dead bats, call the nearest regional office (724-238-9523 for Southwest Region) or use the PGC's "Report a Sick Bat" form on the agency's Web site (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

PGC biologist Lisa Williams said in a prepared statement that by helping to monitor bat populations, the public "can help us identify new die-offs so we can conduct a site investigation." She added that commonsense safety rules apply. "Do not go into caves or mines, do not handle living or dead bats, and keep children and pets away from dead or ground bats."

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