The Wake-Up Call for a Biodiversity Crisis
Bat experts were caught off guard by how quickly white-nose syndrome spread to the northernmost colonies in Canada from the US. Now, the race is on to find a cure before species disappear.
In May, two biologists, while crawling through a narrow passageway in a cave beneath a boreal forest near Fort Smith, in Canada's Northwest Territories, found a dead bat on a limestone ledge, its body covered in a slender white fungus.
When they shone their headlamps for a closer look, they saw another bat with the fungus on its forearms. “It squeaked at us and scurried back into a crevice,” says Jesika Reimer.
Why It Matters
White-nose syndrome, caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, is one of the main threats to bat populations worldwide. The disease can cause extremely high mortality rates, reaching up to 90% in some colonies, and has already been responsible for the decline of several bat species in North America.
Furthermore, the loss of bats can have significant implications for ecosystems, as these animals play a crucial role in insect control, pollination, and seed dispersal.
The Mechanism Behind White-Nose Syndrome
White-nose syndrome is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which infects the skin of bats, particularly in the areas of the nose, ears, and wings. The fungus can cause lesions and infections, leading to a range of symptoms, including behavioral changes, weight loss, and eventually death.
Scientists believe the fungus can be transmitted through direct contact between bats, as well as through contaminated surfaces.
Bigger Picture
White-nose syndrome is not a new problem, but its spread to the northernmost colonies in Canada is a sign that the disease is spreading faster than expected.
Additionally, the disease has already been detected in several bat species worldwide, including in Europe, Asia, and South America, highlighting the need for a global approach to combat white-nose syndrome.
What's Next
Scientists are working hard to find a cure for white-nose syndrome, and probiotics are one of the main areas of research.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be beneficial to bat health, and scientists believe they can be used to prevent or treat white-nose syndrome.
However, there is still much to be done to understand the disease and develop an effective cure, and conservation efforts must be stepped up to protect bat populations and prevent species extinction.
Source / Reference
This article was based on a report published in The Guardian Environment, on August 13, 2026, with the title “Wing and a prayer: how probiotics might save bat species from a killer fungus”.
Read the original report at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/aug/13/biodiversity-bat-species-fungus-disease-canada-alaska-white-nose-syndrome