Park staff at Rocky Mountain National Park have confirmed the presence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in three long-legged bats, with cases detected on both the east and west sides of the park. This marks the first documented instance of WNS in Grand County, Colorado. The confirmation follows earlier lab tests in April by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) that detected Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus responsible for WNS, in bats on the park’s west side. This disease, often fatal to bats, spreads primarily through bat-to-bat contact and has caused millions of bat deaths nationwide since its first detection in 2006. WNS does not cause illness in humans.
This unfortunate discovery is concerning because bats are crucial for maintaining healthy ecosystems, and Rocky Mountain National Park is home to nine known species of bats, five of which have been found living in areas above 11,000 feet. While WNS doesn’t harm humans, people can spread the fungus. Visitors are urged to help protect bat populations by never touching bats and decontaminating gear after visiting caves or bat habitats. Agencies like the National Park Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and the USGS will continue to monitor bats throughout Colorado, where 13 of the state’s 19 native bat species may be susceptible to this devastating disease.
Rocky Mountain National Park Press Release:
Park staff have confirmed the presence of white-nose syndrome (WNS) in three bats at Rocky Mountain National Park; two bats on the west side and one bat on the east side of the park. All three bats were long-legged bats (Myotis volans). With these new findings, white-nose syndrome has now been detected on both sides of the continental divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the first documented case of WNS in Grand County, Colorado.
This is an unfortunate but not a surprise finding after laboratory tests conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in April, confirmed that the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) had been positively detected in bats found in the Holzwarth Historic Site area located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. This was the first confirmed detection of Pd in Grand County, Colorado.
White-nose syndrome (WNS) is a disease that is often fatal in bats. Pd, the fungus that causes WNS, can spread rapidly, primarily through bat-to-bat contact.
WNS does not cause illness in humans, but humans are able to spread the fungus to new places. To protect yourselves and conserve bat populations, we recommend visitors:
Report dead/injured bats to park personnel. To protect yourself and bats, never touch or pick up a bat. Although WNS does not cause illness in humans, a small percentage of bats can be infected with other dangerous diseases, such as rabies.
Decontaminate. Ensure you properly decontaminate your gear and outerwear after visiting a cave or other bat habitat.
Any new detection of Pd and WNS is worrisome because bats are vital for healthy ecosystems. Rocky Mountain National Park is home to nine known species of bats, five of which have been found living in areas above 11,000 feet. To learn more about bats at Rocky Mountain National Park Bats – Rocky Mountain National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
WNS has been blamed for millions of bat deaths nationwide since its initial detection in New York State in 2006. In July 2022, the first confirmed case of WNS was reported in Southeastern Colorado. Pd and WNS have also been confirmed in Larimer County, Colorado.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the USGS, along with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Park Service, have been conducting WNS surveys for over a decade, monitoring bats for presence of Pd. Rocky Mountain Conservancy has assisted with funding for monitoring and education in Rocky Mountain National Park. Colorado is home to 19 native bat species, at least 13 of which may be susceptible to this disease. Colorado’s native bats are all insect eaters and use various habitat types across the state. They are most active during the summer months and spend the winter either hibernating in underground roosts throughout the state or migrating south. The National Park Service and other state and federal agencies will continue to monitor bats throughout Colorado.