Radio Smart Talk: 3 bat species in danger

Radio Smart Talk for Tuesday, October 16, segment two:

The fungal disease white nose syndrome has killed off more than 90% of the Northern Long-Eared, Small Brown, and Tri-Colored species of bats in Pennsylvania since 2008.

However, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has resisted putting the three species on the state's endangered species list -- saying more research is in order.

The decline of the bat population could have a major impact on Pennsylvania agriculture and plantlife since bats feed on insects that can harm crops and plants.  One estimate says bats save farmers more than $275 million a year in pest-control costs.

The Game Commission's Jerry Feaser will appear on Tuesday's program to discuss what could become a major ecological issue.

Feaser will also tell us about the state's first confirmed case of Chronic Wasting Disease, found in a deer in Adams County last week.

Listen to the program: