Jasper National Park fighting deadly fungal disease in bats

A bat with white-nose syndrome. (Supplied: Parks Canada)

Bat colonies in Jasper National Park are being treated for a deadly infection spreading in the area.

White-nose syndrome is a fungal disease that’s killed millions of bats in North America, first discovered in the east in 2006 before spreading west. Treatment is a probiotic consisting of bacteria naturally found on bats in the area.

The disease was confirmed in Alberta in 2024 and recently found in three central Alberta caves, including one in Jasper National Park in March. Parks Canada found proof of the infection in the only known park cave where bats overwinter.

The fungus grows in the skin of hibernating bats, causing them to wake early, burn much-needed fat reserves and eventually starve. Mortality rates in affected colonies can reach 90 to 98 per cent.

White-nose syndrome does not affect humans, but people can spread fungal spores on clothing, footwear or pets, consequently hurting the ecosystem that bats play an important role in, Parks Canada says.

Jasper is home to two endangered bat species vulnerable to white-nose syndrome: little brown myotis and northern myotis. The former can rid environments of 600 insects per hour, including mosquitoes, moths and beetles.

The probiotic treatment is applied at known maternity roosts of bat colonies in Jasper and directly inside attics with confirmed roosts. Bats passing through roosts in the area pick up the good bacteria on their wings and spread it to others, extending the effectiveness of the probiotic.

Officials ask anyone with bats or roosts in the park or their building to contact Parks Canada via its Jasper conservation email.

Parks Canada asks visitors to not enter national park caves without a permit and to avoid caves, abandoned buildings or other bat habitats regardless.

Dead, sick or injured bats can be reported to Parks Canada Dispatch at 780-852-6155.

More information about bats and their role in the ecosystem on the official Parks Canada website.