White Nose Syndrome Detected in Bats in Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park has confirmed white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease of hibernating bats, for the first time in the park and in Glacier County. It was found in a dead little brown bat near Saint Mary in May, and the fungus was detected on several live bats on the east side in June.

The disease wakes bats during hibernation and often kills them. The park has 10 documented bat species and is taking part in a vaccine study involving 529 bats.

White-nose syndrome doesn't infect people or pets, but people can spread the fungus on gear and clothing. NPS asks visitors never to handle bats and to decontaminate gear after visiting caves.