Wild Animals

Wild Bats Welfare: White-Nose Syndrome Crisis

White-nose syndrome caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans has killed over 90% of some North American bat species, causing mass suffering and ecological disruption.

Key Facts

WNS has killed an estimated 5.7-6.7 million bats since its discovery in New York in 2006
Little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus) have declined by over 90% in affected regions
The fungus disrupts bats' torpor during hibernation causing dehydration and starvation
Probiotic bacteria applied to cave walls show promise in protecting hibernating bats
Bats eat billions of insects annually providing ecosystem services worth billions of dollars

Welfare Considerations

Bats dying from WNS experience a prolonged process of repeated wakening from torpor in winter, depleting fat reserves until they starve or freeze. The scale of bat mortality - millions of individuals - represents enormous cumulative suffering. Conservation interventions that protect bat hibernacula and support probiotic treatments are both welfare and ecosystem services interventions.

What You Can Do

Never enter known bat hibernacula during winter to prevent disturbing hibernating bats
Decontaminate clothing and equipment between caves to prevent fungal spread
Install bat boxes to provide alternative summer roosting habitat
Support the North American Bat Conservation Alliance and WNS probiotic research programs