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White-nose syndrome has killed over 90% of the bat population across a wide range in North America. The disease is present in North Dakota.
They are generally not very likeable. Creepy even, but bats, like them or not, are in serious trouble. Some estimates place the loss of bats in fewer than 10 years at 90%.
The reason? White-nose syndrome.
“Currently the whole state of North Dakota is considered within the white-nose range,” said Patrick Isakson, North Dakota Game and Fish Department conservation biologist. “It goes as far west as central Montana as the disease keeps moving west.”