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Connecticut Bats Continue To Battle White Nose Syndrome -- And Misplaced Fears

Ryan von Linden
/
New York Department of Environmental Conservation

Do you see bats where you live? These flying creatures play important roles in ecosystems around the world, from pest control to pollination.

But bats in Connecticut are in big trouble. This hour: Bats in our state have been devastated by white nose syndrome. We learn more about this deadly disease and talk about why we should be concerned that populations in Connecticut have been hit so hard.

Bats in China have made news because of the COVID-19 pandemic. We hear why scientists have looked to these flying creatures to understand the origins of a number of deadly diseases.

And we talk with bat researchers about why -- amid fears of a pandemic -- bats need our support, not our fear, more than ever.

GUESTS:

  • Jenny Dickson - Director of the Wildlife Division for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

  • Dr. Kate Langwig - Assistant professor at Virginia Tech; she’s a disease ecologist who studies bat diseases

Cat Pastor contributed to this show, which originally aired July 10, 2020.

Lucy leads Connecticut Public's strategies to deeply connect and build collaborations with community-focused organizations across the state.
Carmen Baskauf was a producer for Connecticut Public Radio's news-talk show Where We Live, hosted by Lucy Nalpathanchil from 2017-2021. She has also contributed to The Colin McEnroe Show.

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