Islands Trust Conservancy

Fungus causing White-nose syndrome in bats detected again in B.C.
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Recently, the fungus causing white-nose syndrome (WNS) was detected again in B.C. in bat f***s in Vancouver. Bats play an important role in a healthy ecosystem balancing insect populations. Bats will catch bugs as they fly through the air and feed on invertebrates such as moths, spiders, and beetles at night.

There's a lot to know, so here is some key information about WNS:

❗WNS affects their skin, wings, and muzzle, waking bats up before they're meant to be active leading to dehydration, starvation, and death.
❗WNS spreads most rapidly during the winter when bats are hibernating.
❗WNS is not harmful to humans but is a deadly fungal disease for bats.

What can you do to help bats that live on the islands in the Salish Sea?

🦇Avoid disrupting and visiting bat habitat, especially during roosting and hibernation. Never touch a live bat – observe from a distance and don't disturb.
🦇 Contact the B.C. Community Bat Program if you find a bat roost, a dead bat or witness unusual bat behaviour online at bcbats.ca, via email at [email protected] or by calling 1-855-922-2287.
🦇 Share your observations of local bat behaviour by sending an email to [email protected].
🦇Learn more about WNS in B.C. at: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026WLRS0011-000248.

Join the Islands Trust Conservancy Board for a special meeting tomorrow June 2nd from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm PST 📅

For more information on how to attend and the meeting schedule, visit https://islandstrust.bc.ca/whats-happening/meetings-and-events/.

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