Fungus Linked to White Nose Syndrome Detected in Rocky Mountain National Park

NPS Photo-Townsend's big eared bat

Laboratory tests conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) have confirmed that the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd) has been positively detected in bats found in the Holzwarth Historic Site area located on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park. This is the first confirmed detection of Pd in Grand County, Colorado.

Pd is an invasive fungus that causes white-nose syndrome (WNS), a fatal disease that impacts bats. This fungus 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. 

Earlier this year, swabs taken from bats in the Holzwarth area of the park found a probability of Pd. Following this probable result, National Park Service wildlife biologists at the park collected bat guano from locations in the Holzwarth Historic Site area for follow up testing to verify the results. The results of these tests have positively detected Pd.
 
Any new detection of Pd 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. 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. 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.
 
To learn more about White Nose Syndrome and how it impacts bats, visit https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/