Parks Canada teams are currently engaged in efforts to protect Alberta’s bat population by combatting a lethal fungal infection affecting the flying mammals. Nina Veselka, a biologist with Parks Canada, has observed the impact of the infection on bats in a cave within Jasper National Park, where bats have been struggling to survive due to the disease.
The threat facing the bats is known as white-nose syndrome, a fungal infection that poses a significant risk to Alberta’s hibernating bat population. The fungus thrives in cold and damp environments like bat caves, manifesting as a fuzzy, white growth on the bats’ snouts and wings. This infection disrupts the bats’ hibernation, causing them to awaken prematurely and deplete their fat reserves, leaving them vulnerable to starvation.
While the fungus does not pose a direct threat to humans, it can decimate bat colonies, with the potential to wipe out up to 98% of a bat population. Recent surveys conducted by the provincial government and Wildlife Conservation Society Canada have identified white-nose syndrome in multiple caves in the Rockies, including Cadomin, the province’s largest known bat hibernation site.
To combat the spread of the fungus, Parks Canada crews are applying probiotics with anti-fungal properties to known bat roosts in Jasper, including some attic spaces used by the bats. These probiotics contain bacterial strains proven to inhibit the growth of the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome. By applying these probiotics to the bats’ roosting areas, the intention is for the beneficial bacteria to transfer to the bats’ wings, tails, and faces, slowing down the fungal growth.
In Alberta, the probiotics are being used as a treatment for the disease, while in British Columbia, where the infection has not yet taken hold, they are being used preventatively. This proactive approach offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against the disease, providing a sense of optimism that effective measures can be taken to safeguard the bat population.
The arrival of white-nose syndrome in Alberta in 2022 marked a concerning development, following its initial detection in Europe in the early 1900s and subsequent spread to North America, where it has caused significant bat fatalities. The potential impact of the disease on Alberta’s ecosystem is far-reaching, as the loss of bat populations could lead to an increase in insect populations, including mosquitoes and agricultural pests.
Lisa Wilkinson, a biologist and bat specialist for the Alberta government, emphasized the long-term consequences of the spread of white-nose syndrome on bat populations. While ongoing research and treatment efforts are underway, there is currently no definitive solution to prevent, cure, or eradicate the fungus, highlighting the challenges faced in protecting Alberta’s bats from this deadly infection.
