Over the past several years a new type of disease has been decimating bat colonies in the northeastern part of the United States. Researchers have found entire colonies of brown bats dead in their caves with the telltale white fungus on their noses that is characteristic of of this disease. This disease, which has become known as White nose syndrome is estimated to have wiped out up to 90% of Connecticut’s brown bat population. What is more concerning is that it is spreading. This map illustrates the spread of White nose syndrome over the past few years. It i interesting to note that the disease seems to be spreading along the physical barrier of the Appellation mountains. To learn more about White nose syndrome visit the US Fish and wildlife service website.