SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Bat experts from along the East Coast are gathering in South Portland to discuss bat populations from state to state.

Many of the bat populations have been rapidly declining in recent years because of a disease called "white nose syndrome," which can cause wing scarring, and in some cases, force bats to use up stored fat during hibernation until they become emaciated and die.

"The most noticeable sign is a white fungal growth on the snout, and in the caves that's usually a sign of a bat on the way out," said Charlie Todd, endangered species coordinator for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Experts still do not know what causes it or how to treat white nose syndrome.

PORTLAND, MAINE (NEWS CENTER) -- Firefighters from South Portland and Portland are on the scene of a boat fire Friday at South Port Marina located in South Portland.

Deputy Chief Jim Wilson of South Portland Fire Department said the fire was reported late Friday morning by a man who he believes has has been living on board. Wilson said the boat is moored to a dock and several other boats nearby have people living on board for the winter.

Firefighters used a chain saw to cut into the side of the boat to battle interior flames. The Portland Fire Boat was called to help crews battle the flames from the water side.

The South Portland Fire Department believes the fire began in the engine room.

Nobody was injured.

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- A holiday shopper left the Old Navy store in South Portland last Thursday wondering if she would ever see her engagement ring again.

The woman lost her ring in the Old Navy dressing room last week and store staffers helped her look for it, but no one could find it.

The woman left her name and phone number with a store manager in hope that they would come across it, but with the chaotic holiday shopping season, the contact information was lost.

A cleaning person discovered the ring the next day, but they had no way to find her. Store manager Allison Turk said they used social media to get the message out that the ring had been found. A friend of the ring owner saw one of the posts and notified her.