News Release

First Colorado Bat Tests Positive for White-nose Syndrome

Date: April 24, 2023
Contact: Alicia Lafever, 719-383-5051

LA JUNTA, Colo. – A bat infected with white-nose syndrome, a disease caused by an
invasive fungus that has killed millions of bats in North America, has been confirmed in
a bat in Colorado for the first time.

The bat was an adult, female Yuma bat (Myotis yumanensis) found March 29 by
National Park Service (NPS) staff at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site in Otero
County outside of La Junta. It was on the ground and unable to fly. It appeared to have
a white powdery substance on its forearms. NPS staff euthanized the bat and sent it to
the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center for testing.

Laboratory tests conducted by the USGS confirmed the bat had wing lesions
characteristic of WNS and was positive for Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the
fungus that causes the disease.

Last summer, USGS researchers detected the presence of the fungus on a Yuma bat at
Bent’s Old Fort during a disease surveillance study funded by NPS. None of the 25 bats
captured at that time had signs of WNS. White-nose syndrome affects hibernating bats,
often resulting in death before or shortly after they emerge from hibernation in the
spring. The fungus also was found at three other sites in Colorado last year – in Baca,
Larimer and Routt counties.

“After the discovery of Pd last year, we expected this news was inevitable in a year or
two, given the experience in other states as white-nose syndrome has spread
westward,” said Tina Jackson, CPW Species Conservation Coordinator. “We’ve been
monitoring for the fungus for a number of years and this is the same pattern seen in
other states.”

Jackson said CPW will continue to study bats statewide with additional surveys planned
this year in collaboration with partners, like NPS and USGS, to assess the spread of
white-nose syndrome and its impact on the native bats of Colorado.

“We are working with our partners to monitor these and other bat colonies. Scientists
around the world are searching for vaccines and treatments and many actions have
already been taken to help conserve bats, minimize the spread and impact of whitenose
syndrome and to minimize other sources of mortality for vulnerable bat species.
We will implement the most effective measures to ensure our bats’ continued survival
throughout our state.”

White-nose syndrome was first documented in New York state in 2006, Since then it
has been confirmed in 12 North American bat species and, with the addition of
Colorado, it now occurs in 39 states and seven Canadian provinces.

The impact of the disease in Colorado could be devastating. Of the 19 bat species
native to Colorado, at least 13 may be susceptible to this disease. Any large-scale loss
of bats would spell trouble for the health of Colorado’s ecosystems and economy, given
estimates that these voracious insect eaters contribute $3 billion annually to the U.S.
agricultural economy through pest control.

The fungus does not infect humans or pets, and bats are the primary way the fungus
spreads. However, the fungus can be transported on gear and clothing that has been in
contact with contaminated environments, such as caves where bats hibernate.

State and federal agencies in Colorado and throughout the U.S. ask that outdoors
enthusiasts help by following these recommendations:

● Stay out of closed caves and mines.
● Decontaminate footwear and all cave gear before and after visiting or touring
caves and other places where bats live.
● Do not touch bats. Report dead or sick ones to CPW by calling 303-291-7771 or
email [e-mail].
● Gear and clothing used in areas where Pd or WNS occurs should not be used in
areas where Pd is not known to occur. White-Nose Syndrome
(whitenosesyndrome.org)
● To avoid accidentally transporting bats, check canopies, umbrellas and other
outdoor items for any bats that may have roosted in a nook or cranny.

Visit CPW’s website for more information on WNS.

Cooperating state and federal agencies in Colorado include:
● Colorado Parks and Wildlife
● U.S. Geological Survey
● National Park Service
● U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

See the full range of national decontamination guidance for the U.S. at
https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/topics/decontamination.
 

<sup>-www.nps.gov-

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 424 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice.</sup>