White-nose syndrome (WNS), caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has killed millions of North American bats. Understanding the disease and management options is critical for bat welfare and conservation.
White-nose syndrome causes individual bats to die slowly from starvation after their fat reserves are depleted by repeated arousal during hibernation. This is a prolonged welfare emergency affecting millions of individuals. The disease represents one of the most severe wildlife welfare crises in North American conservation history. Management interventions that reduce transmission and support affected populations - including cave access restrictions, probiotic research, and habitat conservation - have both conservation and welfare benefits. Supporting bat conservation organisations directly supports welfare outcomes for affected individuals.