About white-nose syndrome

Previously common species throughout the northeastern United States are presently at risk of regional extirpation or extinction due to white-nose syndrome.

White-nose syndrome affects cave hibernating bats throughout eastern North America and adjacent Canada. This fatal disease continues to cause mass mortality and precipitous population declines. Current morbidity estimates approach 7 million, impacting > 200 hibernacula within 28 states and five Canadian provinces. Currently, white-nose syndrome affects at least seven species of hibernating insectivorous bats. Previously common species throughout the northeastern United States are presently at risk of regional extirpation or extinction due to white-nose syndrome. Pseudogymnoascus destructans, the causative agent of white-nose syndrome, thrives at temperatures of 3-15 ℃ and > 90% relative humidity, conditions equivalent to bat hibernacula and bodies of hibernating bats. P. destructans affects bats by increasing the frequency and duration of arousals from the torpor of hibernation.
Characteristics of white-nose syndrome include cutaneous lesions on the flight membranes; white fungus evident on the muzzles, wings, and ears; and aberrant behavior. Abnormal activity may include bats flying outside at temperatures at or below freezing; bats clustering near hibernacula entrances; and deceased or moribund bats on the ground or on buildings, trees, or other structures.

01.

Reporting

Support critical efforts to monitor the expansion of white-nose syndrome and protect North American bats.
Contact your state wildlife agency, US Fish and Wildlife Service biologists at WhiteNoseBats@fws.gov, or your nearest Service field office to report potential white-nose syndrome observations, including dead bats and/or abnormal behavior (e.g. flying during hibernation period, December through March; daytime activity; bats unable to fly).

02.

Contact info

Alaska /
Alberta /
01.

Species at Risk Biologist
Alberta Environment and Parks

780 723 8556

Visit Alberta Community Bat Program for more information.
Arizona /
01.
To report dead bat(s), please email your name, phone and a description of the observation to bats@azgfd.gov
British Columbia /
01.
02.
03.

info@bcbats.ca

855 922 2287

California /
01.

Statewide Coordinator, Small Mammal Conservation
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
scott.osborn@wildlife.ca.gov

916 324 3564
02.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Deana.Clifford@wildlife.ca.gov
Colorado /
01.

Please report dead bat(s) to Colorado Parks and Wildlife
wildlife.batline@state.co.us

303 291 7771

Idaho /
Montana /
01.

Wildlife Division

406 444 7320

Wildlife Health Lab

406 994 6357

Nevada /
01.

To report dead bat(s), please contact Nevada Department of Widlife

775 688 1506

New Mexico /
01.

BLM New Mexico State Office
marikayr@blm.gov

505 603 8537

02.

New Mexico Department of Game & Fish
james.stuart@state.nm.us

505 476 8107

North Dakota /
01.

Wildlife Division

701 328 6300

To report dead bat(s), please contact ndgf@nd.gov
Northwest Territories /
01.
To report dead bat(s), please contact wildlifeobs@gov.nt.ca or your local or regional Environment and Natural Resources office
Oregon /
01.

ODFW Wildlife Health Hotline

866 968 2600

Saskatchewan /
01.
888 966 5815
02.

Provincial Wildlife Health Specialist
Ministry of Environment

306 933 5406

South Dakota /

Texas /
01.

512 389 4505

For large numbers of dead bats
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Kills and Spills Team

512 389 4848

Utah /
Washington /
Wyoming /
01.
If you find dead bat(s), please email your name, phone number (or other contact information), and a description of the observation to WGF-RareAnimal@wyo.gov
Yukon Territory /

Mexico /

03.

Additional Resources

clear