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Speaker: Jonathan Reichard and Jeremy Coleman, White-Nose
Syndrome Response Team, USFWS
White-Nose
Syndrome (WNS) is a devastating disease that affects hibernating bats,
caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus
destructans (Pd). This fungus thrives in cold, dark, and damp
environments, attacking the bare skin of bats during their hibernation.
As it grows, it disrupts their hibernation patterns, causing them to burn
through the fat reserves needed to survive the winter. The result is
often fatal, with millions of bats in North America already lost to this
disease. WNS is especially concerning because bats play a critical role
in ecosystems, particularly in controlling insect populations.
Additionally, people can unknowingly spread the Pd fungus when they move
from one location to another without properly cleaning their gear. This
makes it crucial to clean and disinfect shoes, clothing, and equipment
between trips to help prevent the spread of WNS. In this webinar, we’ll
explore the impact of White-Nose Syndrome and learn more about the
efforts of the White-Nose Syndrome Response Team to combat this deadly
disease.
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