Deadly, invasive disease found in second Colorado bat species in Longmont

Heather Willard
·3 min read
1

DENVER (KDVR) — A sick bat found on a bike path in Longmont indicates a much larger issue for Colorado’s bat population.

According to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, a “little brown bat” found crawling on a bike path in Longmont was confirmed to be infected with white-nose syndrome. This is the first time the syndrome has been detected in Little Brown Bats in Colorado until now, according to CPW, although it has been detected in other bat species.

While the fungus that leads to white-nose syndrome has been found in three of this species of bats’ summer roosts in Colorado, this would be the first “little brown” bat sick with the syndrome.

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It would also be the second of Colorado’s bat species to be infected. Colorado’s first case of white-nose syndrome was discovered in a Yuma bat in March 2023 at Bent’s Old Fort National Historic Site near La Junta, and the fungus causing white-nose syndrome has been identified in other parts of Colorado, according to CPW.

“While it is unfortunate to discover this deadly disease in a second Colorado bat species, CPW did anticipate that this would happen based on what has been documented in other states,” said Dan Neubaum, CPW Species Conservation Program Manager, in a release. “We will continue to monitor the spread of this disease with our partners and ask the public to report sick or dead bats to CPW, particularly when found during winter and spring months.”

According to CPW, if the disease continues to spread, it could devastate the state’s bat populations. Of Colorado’s 19 species, at least 13 may be susceptible to the disease.

One ‘little brown bat’ in Longmont, a second infected in Boulder

The Longmont bat found on February 29 was collected by a wildlife rehabber who found the bat was very dehydrated and its wings appeared brittle, which was preventing it from flying. CPW advised that the rehabber submit the bat to the agency’s Wildlife Health Lab for further investigation.

The lab received the bat on March 5, where researchers collected biological samples. The samples were submitted to Colorado State University for testing, which confirmed white-nose syndrome in the bat.

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Two weeks later in Boulder, a second “little brown bat” was confirmed to be infected with the disease. According to CPW, this indicates that additional bats have been exposed and may be found in the coming weeks.

These are the second and third bats ever discovered with clinical signs of the disease in Colorado. Preventing the spread of this disease is nearly impossible, according to researchers: The fungus is passed from bat to bat, meaning wild populations are at risk.

“We continue to ask those visiting caves to decontaminate their gear to prevent human spread of the fungus and remind the public not to handle bats when encountered but instead report them to CPW, wildlife rehabbers, or the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment,” said Neubaum.

“Any large-scale loss of bats could cause trouble for the health of Colorado’s ecosystems and economy, given estimates that these voracious insect eaters contribute $3 billion annually to the U.S. agricultural economy through pest control,” CPW said in a release.

Is this a danger to humans or pets?

Pets and humans will not be infected by the fungus, according to CPW, and bats are the primary way the fungus spreads. However, the fungus can also be transported on gear and clothing that have been in contact with contaminated environments, like caves. To prevent the further spreading of the fungus, state and federal agencies ask that outdoor recreationists:

  • Stay out of closed caves and mines

  • Decontaminate footwear and caving gear before and after visiting or touring caves, or other bat habitats

  • Do not touch bats

  • Report dead or sick bats to CPW by calling 303-291-7771 or emailing wildlife.batline@state.co.us

  • Do not use gear or clothing used in areas where the fungus occurs in areas where it is not known to occur

  • Avoid accidentally transporting bats by checking canopies, umbrellas and other outdoor items for bats that may have roosted there.

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