Deadly Bat Fungus Reaches Western Colorado for the First Time

A deadly fungal disease that has only been found east of the Continental Divide in Colorado has made its way over to the western part of Colorado. The fungal disease has an impact on the state's bat population and is considered deadly to the species.

According to CBS News, the fungus known as White-Nose Syndrome has been discovered in bat guano at the Holzwarth Historic Site on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park.

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The fungus that impacts bat's wings, face, and skin, thrives in cold temperatures where bats hibernate for the winter. When the fungus spreads from bat to bat, it can lead to death before the bats can ever make it out of hibernation in the spring.

The White Nose Syndrome in bats has caused a massive population drop in the species on the east coast of the United States at an estimated rate of 90 percent in some cases. Thankfully, bats in Colorado have not see this type of population drop as of yet.

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Colorado is home to numerous bat species, all with different behaviors and hibernating patterns. It is believed that western bat species, much like the ones in Colorado, have natural defenses against the spread of fungus.

The fungus, Pseudogymnascus destructans, has been detected in other parts of Colorado, mainly in the eastern part of the state. The detection of the fungus in Grand County marks the first appearance of the deadly fungus in the western portion of Colorado.

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Researchers are focusing on developing tools to assist the bats in surviving the disease by means of antifungal compounds, sprays, and even vaccines. Bats are vital to the ecosystem, and studies have shown that bats can provide more than $3 billion worth of pest control annually in North America.