Fatal bat fungus White Nose Syndrome makes first appearances in Alberta
A disease that has been nearly wiping out bat populations in Eastern Canada and the U.S. has made its first appearance in Alberta.
White Nose Syndrome, a fungus that starves bats to death by interrupting their winter hibernation, was identified in several locations in the province last year after being found in Saskatchewan in 2021.
"It looks like it's spreading about 500 kilometres a year," said Cory Olson of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which conducted the research.
Society researchers traced the infections by collecting bat droppings from underneath 800 bridges where the tiny mammals like to rest during the night.
"A lot of bridges have bats," said Olson. "About half of all the bridges we looked at had bat guano."
When analyzed, two samples from along the southern stretch of the Red Deer River came back positive for the fungus. Other samples that showed likely infection came from along the Milk River in southern Alberta and as far north as the Battle River near Cold Lake.
White Nose Syndrome is caused by a fungus that affects an infested bat's skin. Olson compared it to athlete's foot.
"It eats away at their skin and they have to come out of hibernation to fight the infection -- or it may be irritating and they can't hibernate when it's happening."
Bat immune systems barely function when they're asleep, meaning they must wake up to fight the fungus. But during hibernation, bats may have to go without food for six months. Coming out of it costs them energy they need to make it through the winter.
"They simply starve to death before they can start feeding again," Olson said.
Because bats huddle closely together to survive the cold, the disease passes quickly. It's also deadly.
In one cave in Eastern Canada, 98 per cent of bats died. In eastern North America, where the disease has been present for almost 20 years, bat populations have shrunk by about 90 per cent.
Alberta has already declared endangered two species of the little brown bat, the province's most common bat, out of concern for the disease's eventual arrival.
"We're pretty likely to see similar declines in Alberta," Olson said. "It's not a lot of bats that can survive this disease."
White Nose Syndrome first appeared in North America in 2006 in New York state, probably through shipping. It's spread mostly bat-to-bat, although humans can play a role.
Bats play an important role in their various ecosystems. They are the major nighttime predator of flying insects, such as mosquitoes. A bat can eat its body weight in bugs during a single night's hunt.
They also feast on insects that damage human crops. Moths, for example, are prime bat food. Moths grow from caterpillars, a significant crop pest.
Olson said an American study concluded that bats provide pest control worth billions every year. He said the Canadian figures are likely in the "many millions" of dollars.
A small number of bats have shown a natural resistance to the fungus, which scientists are trying to understand. As well, researchers are experimenting with an antifungal agent that could be sprayed into bat caves.
Olson urges people to disturb bats as little as possible.
"Let them do their thing," he said. "Bats are in trouble."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Unruly passenger' forces WestJet flight to make emergency landing in B.C.
A WestJet flight heading to Calgary had to make an emergency landing in northern B.C. Monday due to an incident involving an 'unruly passenger,' Mounties say.
'It's his vacation too': Jimmy the baby goat joins 2-week road trip across Canada
After Jimmy the baby goat was shunned by his mother, a New Brunswick man took the kid on a two-week road trip across Canada.
The double-level airplane seat is back. This time, there’s a first-class version
It’s the airplane seat design that launched a thousand memes and kickstarted a media storm. And now the double-level seat is back – only this time, with a twist.
Former South Dakota mayor charged with triple homicide
Three people were shot to death in a small South Dakota town, and a former law officer who once served as the town's mayor is charged in the killings.
New COVID-19 subvariants become the dominant strains in Canada
More than four years after COVID-19 effectively shut down the world, two new variants of COVID-19 have become the dominant strains of the novel coronavirus in Canada.
Debunking the 'anti-sunscreen' movement: Doctors say TikTok trend is dangerous
Dermatologists are sounding the alarm about misinformation from the anti-sunscreen movement, saying not wearing sunscreen can cause cancer and other problems.
Ont. university says professor fired over 'unethical' sexual relationships with students
An associate professor at McMaster University has been fired after its board of governors found that he engaged in 'unethical, inappropriate and in some instances exploitative' sexual relationships with students.
Richard Dreyfuss' comments about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity lead venue to apologize
The actor Richard Dreyfuss showed up in a dress at a 'Jaws'-themed event in Massachusetts, where the blockbuster 1975 movie he starred in was shot, and then proceeded to make demeaning remarks about women, LGBTQ2S+ people and diversity.
Poilievre Conservatives offer to help Trudeau Liberals pass foreign interference bill
Pierre Poilievre's Conservative Party is offering to help Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government pass a piece of legislation aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada.