Detection of Dangerous Fungus in Glacier National Park Bats
This week, the National Park Service announced for the first time that a highly dangerous fungus has been found in several bats at Glacier National Park.
A news release from Wednesday indicated that a little brown bat discovered deceased in the Saint Mary area of the park back in May tested positive for white-nose syndrome, a disease linked to a fungus known as Pseudogymnoascus destructans. Following that, multiple live bats from the park’s eastern side also showed positive results for the fungus the next month.
“WNS leads to high mortality rates and rapid declines in the affected bat populations,” noted the National Park Service. “By 2018, three species—little brown bats, northern long-eared bats, and tri-colored bats—had seen their numbers drop by over 90% throughout the eastern United States.”
White-nose syndrome, first identified in North America in 2007, is named for the white fungus that appears on the faces, ears, and wings of bats. The illness prompts bats to awaken during hibernation, depleting their fat reserves too soon, which can result in dehydration, starvation, and ultimately death. It spreads primarily through direct contact between bats and is currently present in 42 states and 9 provinces in Canada.
While there are instances of humans inadvertently spreading the fungus on shoes, clothing, or equipment, the National Park Service emphasizes that white-nose syndrome does not pose a risk to humans or pets. The fungus thrives only in cold conditions ranging from 41 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, temperatures much lower than that of a human body.
Officials encourage actions to safeguard bats and acknowledge their crucial role in the park’s ecosystem. Recommendations include avoiding handling bats and adhering to federal decontamination protocols after exploring caves or bat habitats.
Glacier National Park is home to ten bat species, which help control insect populations and serve as prey for raptors and weasels. According to the Nature Conservancy, bats play a vital role in reducing insect numbers, including mosquitoes. Therefore, a decline in bat populations could have serious implications for the environment.
“Significant drops in bat numbers could lead to extensive effects on ecosystems within the park and surrounding areas,” stated the National Park Service.
Aside from white-nose syndrome, bat populations are also facing challenges from climate change, habitat loss, and collisions with wind turbines. Nearly 40% of the 43 bat species in the U.S. and Canada are recognized as either endangered or candidates for such status, as outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture.
