The number of bats in Minnesota continue to decline.
The state’s Natural Resources Department blames it on the effect of a white fungal growth on the mammals known as white-nose syndrome.
Recent surveys find bat populations down as much as 94 per cent in some parts of Minnesota.
DNR Supervisor Gerda Nordquist says populations have likely declined as much as they’re going to.
“It looks like we’re at rock bottom now,” says Nordquist. “It’s hard to say if we’re going to get much lower than we are. Maybe in the years forward, we’ll start to see some return of individuals.”
Nordquist says since the mammal’s decline, some residents say they’re now noticing a dramatic increase in mosquitoes.
