WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND – A disease that has devastated hibernating bats in the Maritime provinces and the northeastern United States has been confirmed in western Newfoundland.
According to the Department of Fisheries and Land Resouces, white-nose syndrome was found in three little brown bats.
Both the little brown bat and the northern long-eared bat in Newfoundland and Labrador are susceptible to white-nose syndrome, a public advisory from the department indicated.
White-nose syndrome is recognized by the formation of a ring of white fungus the faces of infected bats, which suffer severe damage to wing tissue.
The bats wake up more frequently from hibernation and use up limited energy reserves quickly. As a result, they often die at hibernation sites or while out trying to find food and water.
Both bat species are currently listed as endangered under the federal Species at Risk Act in Canada.
The Department of Fisheries and Land Resources is looking at potential ways to protect the bats in this province.
Forestry and Wildlife staff and the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative are continuing to survey for the disease in the province.
Officials are asking for the public’s assistance to report known or potential bat hibernation sites and dead or sick bats.
They are asking for people to take a GPS coordinate and photographs if possible and then contract their local Forestry and Wildlife office or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.
