Bat-Killing Fungus Found in Liberty Park Originated in Europe

A recent study revealed that white-nose syndrome -- a bat-killing fungus that was found in Twinsburg's Liberty Park -- may have come to the U.S. from Europe, according to the Associated Press.

While it's not harmful to humans, the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome (WNS) has killed more than 5 million bats in eastern North America since it was first detected during the winter of 2006-07.

The AP reports that the disease may have been carried over to the U.S. by tourists, sticking to people's clothes and shoes.

Back in February, When they sent it in for testing it was found to have white-nose syndrome

Marlo Perdicas, a Metro Parks biologist, said there hasn't been any new developments on the local front since February.

"We don't have much new information," Perdicas said. "We have had some reports around the Summit County area of bats flying during the day or dead bats at people's homes, but not as many reports as we might have expected."

Although it is still unknown how bats are affected by WNS, one theory is that it irritates them -- and wakes them up -- during hibernation, forcing them to find food when little is available. The result of the early wake-up is starvation.

"We were all hoping that the warm weather (in March), and therefore the emergence of insects at night, might cut the bats a little bit of a break," Perdicas said. "We aren't sure if this was just wishful thinking or if it really could have had a positive impact on the population."