Since 2007, thousands of bats have died from the condition, which is characterised by a white fungus covering their noses, ears and wings. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to find out how the disease kills the animals and how it spreads.
“We believe WNS is likely to spread through direct bat-to-bat and cave-to-bat contact,” says Diana Weaver, a spokeswoman for the FWS, “but it’s possible that human activity may be spreading the causative agent.”
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.