Wild Animals

Bat Conservation and White-Nose Syndrome

White-nose syndrome has killed over 90% of some North American bat species, representing one of the most devastating wildlife welfare emergencies of recent decades.

Key Facts

White-nose syndrome, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has killed over 6.7 million bats
Some bat species including the northern long-eared bat have declined by over 90% in affected areas
Bats play critical roles in insect control — a single bat consumes thousands of insects nightly
The fungus disturbs bat hibernation, causing them to exhaust fat reserves and starve before spring
Probiotic treatments and cave stewardship are showing promise as intervention strategies

Welfare Considerations

White-nose syndrome causes protracted suffering — bats repeatedly arouse from hibernation, deplete fat stores, and starve or freeze to death over weeks or months. The scale of mortality is ecologically catastrophic and represents individual welfare harms on a massive scale. Protecting bat hibernacula from human disturbance, supporting probiotic treatment research, and addressing the fungal disease as a wildlife welfare emergency are all urgently needed.

What You Can Do

Never enter bat caves or mines especially during hibernation season (Oct-April)
Clean all caving equipment before entering new sites to prevent fungal spread
Install bat houses to provide roosting habitat during the active season
Support organizations funding white-nose syndrome research and treatment
Reduce pesticide use to protect the insect populations that bats depend on for food