(West Glacier Mt) – Glacier National Park has confirmed its first local cases of white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal disease that affects hibernating bats.
The disease was identified in a deceased little brown bat found in the park’s Saint Mary area, while subsequent testing of live bats confirmed the presence of the underlying fungus on the park’s east side.
White-nose syndrome causes bats to awaken prematurely during hibernation, depleting their critical winter fat reserves and often leading to starvation or dehydration. Park biologists warn that significant population declines could have widespread effects on the regional ecosystem, as all ten local bat species consume insects and serve as prey for other wildlife.
In response, Glacier National Park is participating in a multi-year study to evaluate a protective vaccine, tracking over five hundred tagged bats to monitor spring survival rates.
While the disease does not infect humans or pets, park authorities remind visitors to stay out of caves without a permit and to follow federal decontamination guidelines for clothing and gear to prevent spreading the fungus.
