Wildlife Conservation

Wild Migratory Bat White-Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that has killed over 6 million North American bats, causing mass mortality events in hibernating colonies.

Key Facts

White-nose syndrome is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans
The disease disrupts bat hibernation causing premature energy depletion
Little brown bat populations have declined by over 90 percent in affected areas
Bats play critical roles in insect control and pollination

Welfare Considerations

Infected bats wake repeatedly from hibernation, burning through fat reserves needed to survive winter. The final stages involve emaciation, exhaustion, and death in millions of individuals. Cave hibernation sites can lose entire colonies in a single season. The scale of suffering and mortality from white-nose syndrome represents one of the most severe wildlife disease events in recorded history.

What You Can Do

Report unusual bat behavior including winter activity to wildlife agencies
Decontaminate equipment before and after visiting caves
Support white-nose syndrome research and probiotic treatment trials
Provide summer bat habitat through bat box installation