WINTER IS THE TIME TO LOOK FOR THE BAT KILLER

In winter time, the South Carolina DNR counts hibernating bats, along with testing bats and their hibernating quarters for a fungal disease that can wipe out the bat population. To many people bats are scary, but they serve a good purpose for nature by keeping the balance thru hunting and feeding off mosquitos, flies, and gnats. The job of counting bats and ensuring they stay healthy falls to DNR biologist Jennifer Kindel. She looks for the fungus in caves and old mines across South Carolina. The DNR has been mapping the spread of the deadly hibernacula fungus since it was first confirmed in 2013 in Pickens County, and later in Oconee and Richland counties. Testing last winter turned up no additional suspect counties.