HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists and the White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) Maternity Colony Monitoring Task Group are seeking assistance from residents in a national monitoring effort to collect bat maternity colony data this summer.
“The true impact of WNS on bat populations cannot be determined using estimates from winter hibernacula alone,” said Lisa Williams, game commission wildlife biologist and WNS task group member.
“Now is the public’s chance to assist us in our monitoring effort by hosting a bat count this summer.”
Applications and information on how to participate can be found on the game commission’s Web site (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking the “Appalachian Bat Count” icon.
“Pennsylvania’s two most common bat species, the little brown bat and the big brown bat, use buildings as their summer roosts,” Williams said.
“Abandoned houses, barns, church steeples and even currently occupied structures can provide a summer home to female bats and their young.
“Monitoring these ‘maternity colonies’ can give biologists a good idea of how bat populations in an area are doing from year to year. With the occurrence of WNS in Pennsylvania this year, monitoring these colonies is more important than ever.”
Outdoors
Public asked to help monitor bats
- Outdoors
-
-
Game commission testing two elk put down in park
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is testing two elk put down in a county park in northwestern Pennsylvania for Chronic Wasting Disease and other illnesses.
-
Pa. trims bag limit for hunted porcupines
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is trimming the number of porcupines hunters can take, a little more than a year after wildlife officials approved hunting of the previously protected species.
-
British skier sets record for solo Antarctic trek
British adventurer Felicity Aston completed her crossing of Antarctica today, becoming the first woman to ski across the icy continent alone.
-
Stonycreek chosen River of the Year in online voting
The Stonycreek River, a reborn waterway that now hosts fishing and whitecap kayaking, was named Pennsylvania’s River of the Year on Monday through online voting.
-
[LOCAL VIDEO] Free and clear
A bridge builder’s generosity has opened the way for the completion of the notorious missing link of the Path of the Flood Trail between Franklin Borough and Staple Bend Tunnel.
-
Bear harvest second-biggest in state history
Preliminary figures from the Pennsylvania Game Commission show this year’s three bear seasons were the second most productive in the state’s history.
-
Snowmobile enthusiasts thrive on the cold
When living in the snowbelt of the Laurel Highlands, it’s easy to understand why people become snowmobile enthusiasts.
-
'Club is a good testament to a great group of people'
Chickaree Ridge Runners Snowmobile Recreation & Rescue Club in Vinco stands for more than fun in the snow.
-
Snow riders | Club members maintain trails, tout camaraderie
Snowmobiling in the Laurel Highlands is revving up. The first day for legal snowmobiling on state forest lands is Dec. 15, and Jan. 15 for game lands.
-
How to tell a deer's age and weight
Two things many hunters want to know about almost any deer they take are its age and weight.
- More Outdoors Headlines
-
Game commission testing two elk put down in park
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
