麻豆传媒

VIRGINIA has became the third US state to temporarily from caves where bats are dying from (WNS). both issued similar appeals in February.

Since 2007, thousands of bats have died from the condition, which is characterised by a white fungus covering their noses, ears and wings. is trying to find out how the disease kills the animals and how it spreads.

鈥淲e believe WNS is likely to spread through direct bat-to-bat and cave-to-bat contact,鈥� says Diana Weaver, a spokeswoman for the FWS, 鈥渂ut it鈥檚 possible that human activity may be spreading the causative agent.鈥�

In recent weeks, suspicion has fallen on cavers. They are cooperating fully with the FWS, and an anonymous caver says the caving community is deeply distressed by the idea that they may be responsible.