Posted: 10.08.2010

Bat lovers will get a chance to sound off on a proposal to permanently classify
four cave bat species as threatened in Wisconsin.

The state Department of Natural Resources has set up a series of
public hearings around the state during the last week in October.
The agency also will accept written comments through Nov. 1.

The Natural Resources Board last month adopted an emergency rule
classifying the little brown bat, big brown bat, northern
long-eared bat and eastern pipistrelle as threatened.

The board made the move in hopes of preserving as many bats as
possible before a deadly bat fungal disease called white-nose
syndrome reaches Wisconsin. The disease has been spreading west
from eastern states, wiping out huge numbers of bats.
 

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