Officials: New cases of white-nose syndrome in bats found

MOHAWK, Mich. (AP) - State officials say they've received the first reports this winter of Michigan bats dying from white-nose syndrome.

Dead bats have been found outside an abandoned copper mine near Mohawk in the Upper Peninsula's Keweenaw County.

The fungal disease has killed millions of bats and has been detected in half of the states. Its first discovery in Michigan happened late last winter in Alpena, Dickinson, Keweenaw, Mackinac and Ontonagon counties.

The Department of Natural Resources says widespread die-offs from the illness are expected this winter. The department says people may see dead or dying bats on the ground or roosting on trees or buildings.

DNR wildlife veterinarian Dan O'Brien says there's nothing people can do so save dying bats, and we should avoid touching them with bare hands.

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Online:

http://www.michigan.gov/wns