White-nose syndrome has killed billions of North American bats, and individual bat welfare during disease outbreaks and rehabilitation deserves attention alongside conservation.
Bat welfare during white-nose syndrome outbreaks involves both mass mortality on a conservation scale and individual suffering in infected animals. Bats with advanced infection wake repeatedly during hibernation, burning fat reserves, becoming emaciated and distressed. Individual bats in rehabilitation face intensive care needs that require specialist knowledge to minimize stress and maximize survival. The disease also affects bat behavior and social structure, disrupting colony dynamics that are important for both welfare and reproduction.