Be on the lookout for hitchhiking bats

Whether you’re a tourist who is planning a cross-country camping trip or a trucker hauling freight, checking to ensure you aren’t giving a bat a free ride can help slow the spread of a devastation wildlife disease.

White-nose syndrome (WNS) has killed millions of bats in eastern North American since it was discovered in 2006. First detected in New York, the fungus that causes the disease is slowly moving westward as non-infected bats are exposed to infected ones.

“Taking a few moments to be sure you’re not accidentally letting stowaway bats hitch a ride is an easy thing that anyone can do,” said Jordi Segers, national white-nose syndrome program coordinator for the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative. “Checking under awnings, umbrellas, and in RVS, trailers, and transport containers before departing to make sure no bats are roosting there can minimize the risks of carrying stowaway bats over large distances,”

While the disease affects little brown bats and other hibernating bat species, it isn’t a threat to people or pets. Bats carrying the fungus causing white-nose syndrome into uninfected locations can accelerate the demise of the country’s bats. In addition to the potential spread, bats that are moved out of their natural range may not survive because of injury, dehydration and starvation, or they may not find safe roost sites or places to hibernate.

Bats like to roost in small, dark cavities, which is why they’re attracted to transport trailers and shipping containers. Segers said truckers and rail personnel should inspect the inside of transport trailers and shipping containers before leaving the loading dock or port.

“It’s important that the public and commercial operations, such as trucking and rail companies, are aware of risks around hitchhiking bats so they can take preventive measures to avoid moving any bats,” said Segers. “Doing so will help on two fronts: by limiting the spread of this disease and by avoiding unnecessary suffering and even death for bats.”

Before leaving campsites, Segers said, campers should also check the outside of their recreational vehicles as bats tend to be found in those areas.

If a bat is found, contact the local provincial or territorial wildlife agency, the municipal animal control office, a local veterinarian or a wildlife rehabilitator. Make sure to follow preventative measures when handling bats: wear thick gloves, disinfect the gloves and wash hands afterward.

Segers is hopeful researchers will eventually catch up with strategies for preventing and even treating the disease.

“Bats provide great ecological services, including eating large numbers of mosquitoes and agricultural pests. Every night they are out helping us. Now is our chance to help bats in return.”