Bats play a key role in the balance of nature.
Photo Credit: Chapel Hill News

Did you know that nearly one in five species of mammals can fly? And any group making up 20 percent of an animal family plays an integral role in the balance of nature. So it is with bats. These versatile mammals pollinate fruit and flowers, and they catch insects, including crop-damaging pests and disease-transmitting mosquitoes.

Recently a fungal infection has spread to bat caves by unknowing spelunkers. "White Nose Syndrome" is decimating bat populations. Several species are threatened with extinction and others are dying by the millions.