White-nose syndrome has killed millions of North American bats since 2006. This devastating fungal disease threatens ecosystem services and presents urgent welfare and conservation challenges.
The welfare dimension of white-nose syndrome is often overlooked in conservation discussions focused on population counts. Affected bats experience prolonged starvation as they repeatedly rouse from hibernation and burn through fat reserves. Death from WNS is slow and likely distressing. The disease also disrupts maternal care behavior, potentially increasing pup mortality. Welfare-conscious conservation responses prioritize reducing suffering at the individual level alongside population-level goals. Probiotic treatments that can be applied to cave surfaces to reduce fungal growth show promise, as do vaccination approaches. Public engagement in cave decontamination protocols and bat box installation can support recovery.