康涅狄格州迎国际蝙蝠周：白鼻综合征令东北部三种蝙蝠锐减逾九成
康涅狄格州能源与环境保护厅（DEEP）10月21日发布新闻稿，宣布参与10月24日至31日的国际「蝙蝠周」，呼吁公众关注本州持续衰减的蝙蝠种群。DEEP 代理厅长奇米诺说，蝙蝠既是万圣节的标志性象征，也是康州生态系统的关键一环，守护本州原生蝙蝠物种，能让它们继续支撑生态、丰富社区。
新闻稿指出，由入侵真菌引起的白鼻综合征自2006年以来已在美国与加拿大杀死数以百万计的蝙蝠，北方长耳蝠、小棕蝠与三色蝠在东北部的数量不到十年间锐减逾90%；康州受影响最深的六个物种中，除大棕蝠外其余五种已被列入州濒危物种法保护名单。DEEP 野生动物处自2007年起持续监测本州蝙蝠并参与区域协作。
蝙蝠是夜行昆虫的天敌：150只大棕蝠组成的群落一年可吃掉约130万只昆虫，蝙蝠每年为美国农业经济贡献至少30亿美元的害虫防治价值。DEEP 建议居民减少使用杀虫剂、栽种本地传粉花园、保护栖息与冬眠场所、减少夜间户外照明，并可考虑安装蝙蝠屋；冬季若在户外发现蝙蝠，可向 DEEP 野生动物处报告。
Connecticut Marks International Bat Week as White-Nose Syndrome Cuts Three Bat Species by Over 90%
Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced on October 21 that it will take part in International Bat Week, October 24-31, drawing attention to the state's declining bat populations. Acting Commissioner Emma Cimino said bats are both a Halloween icon and a key part of Connecticut's ecosystem.
White-nose syndrome, caused by an invasive fungus, has killed millions of bats in the United States and Canada since 2006. Northern long-eared, little brown and tri-colored bats have declined by more than 90% in the Northeast in under a decade. Of the six Connecticut species hit hardest, all but the big brown bat are listed under the state endangered species law. DEEP's wildlife division has monitored the state's bats since 2007.
A colony of 150 big brown bats can eat about 1.3 million insects a year, and bats provide at least $3 billion a year in pest-control value to U.S. agriculture. DEEP urged residents to cut pesticide use, plant native pollinator gardens, protect roosting and hibernation sites, reduce outdoor lighting at night, and consider installing bat houses.
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：小棕蝠。摄影：Austin Waag，Public domain（Wikimedia Commons）。Photo: a little brown bat. Photo by Austin Waag, Public domain (Wikimedia Commons).
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