Bat disease:

Bats in New York State are an integral part of our environmental health because they control insects and (like most small animals) are an indicator of potential problems in our environment. If they are dropping dead in the thousands, our radar should be on.

Mystery illness hits New York bats - Rochester, NY - MPNnow Bats in New York and Vermont are mysteriously dying off by the thousands, often with a white ring of fungus around their noses, and scientists in hazmat suits are crawling into dank caves to find out why. “White nose syndrome,” as the killer has been dubbed, is spreading at an alarming rate, with researchers calling it the gravest threat in memory to bats in the United States. (Feb 25, 08) Rochester, NY - MPNnow