Most recent news
- Lakes States Forest Management Bat Habitat Conservation Plan
- Researchers race to slow a disease that could wipe out some bat species (06/27/2017)
- Minnesota's largest bat colony hit hard by WNS (03/13/2017)
- Minnesota bats caught in a fast-moving deadly epidemic (08/05/2016)
- USFWS releases new decontamination protocols for those visiting caves, mines and known -or likely- bat hibernacula.(04/12/2016)
- Northern long-eared bat listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (01/14/2016)
- Northern Minnesota study tracks nesting habits of threatened bats
- Scientists identify tissue-degrading enzyme in WNS.(05/04/2015)
- MBS mammalogist Gerda Nordquist banded this male little brown myotis in Minnesota in 1983, making it at least 32 years old!(03/09/2015)
Why we're concerned
- White-nose Syndrome and Minnesota's Bats
- A Coming Crisis for Our Bats (Minnesota Conservation Volunteer article)
- What is white-nose syndrome?
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White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is killing hibernating bats in eastern North America. It is believed that more than 5.7 million bats have died as a result of the disease, so far.
Named for the white fungus that was observed on noses of the first infected bats, it also affects other body parts. A newly discovered fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, (formerly known as Geomyces destructans), has been demonstrated to cause WNS in bats. The fungus thrives in cold, humid conditions characteristic of the caves and mines that bats use to hibernate.
WNS was first documented New York in the winter of 2006-07. The disease continues to spread westward as shown in the map above.
- How is WNS transmitted?
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Scientists believe that WNS is transmitted primarily from bat to bat. Humans and other animals visiting infected caves and mines may inadvertently carry the fungus to unaffected caves. The fungus can remain in a cave after all the bats have died.
- Is WNS dangerous to humans?
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No. Bats appear to be the only animals that are susceptible to this disease.
- What are signs of WNS?
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Bats appear to die from WNS primarily during winter, due to starvation, physiological shock or freezing. During winter months, observable signs of WNS may include:
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white fungus on the bat's muzzle and other hairless parts of the body, such as wings and tail
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bats active outside during the day when temperatures are below freezing
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bats clustered at the entrance of hibernacula
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dead or dying bats on the ground or on buildings and trees
Note: The WNS fungus does not grow on bats during the warm weather months when bats are active. Also, other white fungi may grow on dead bats that are not associated with WNS.
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- What should you do if you find dead or dying bats, or if you observe bats with signs of WNS?
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Contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
- File Bat Observation Report, or
- Send an email to MBS eReport , or
- Leave a toll-free phone message to the MBS Report Line: 1-888-345-1730
Photographs of the bat and details about its behavior or where and when it was found are very helpful.
Use caution when handling bats: Never handle live bats without gloves. If a person or pet has been exposed to a bite, scratch, or saliva from a live or dead bat, contact the local public health department for further guidance.
- What species of bats are affected?
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Seven bat species reside in Minnesota. Four hibernate in caves and mines and three migrate out of the state during winter. All four of the hibernating species have been shown to be affected by WNS in other states. These are Little Brown Myotis (Myotis lucifugus), Northern Long-eared Myotis (Myotis septentrionalis), Tricolored Bat (Perimyotis subflavus), and Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus).
What you can do
- Prevent the spread of WNS
-Honor cave closures and gated caves.
-Avoid caves and mines where bats hibernate. Be familiar with cave advisories (National Speleological Society).
-Decontaminate clothing and gear according to recommended decontamination protocols - Do not disturb hibernating bats
-Do not enter hibernacula during the winter
-Do not exclude bats from buildings during winter - Report sick or dead bats, and groups of bats
- Help bats survive
-Enhance bat habitat on your property by retaining large trees, protecting wetlands, and constructing homes for bats
-Use bat-friendly methods to exclude bats from your home. Never exclude bats when females are raising young (May—August). See Dealing with Unwanted Guests.
Further information
- White-nose syndrome website
- Bat Conservation International white-nose syndrome webpage.
