Fungus linked to deadly bat disease found in Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park announced April 3 that lab tests conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that a fungus has been detected in bats found in the Holzwarth Historic Site area, located on the west side of the park. This is the first confirmed detection of the fungus in Grand County.

Pseudogymnoascus destructans, an invasive fungus, causes the deadly white-nose syndrome in bats. The fungus can spread rapidly among bat populations.

Swabs taken earlier this year from bats in the Holzwarth area of the park found a probability of the fungus, according to the release. Following the test result, National Park Service wildlife biologists collected bat guano from the area for follow-up testing, which resulted in positive detection.

“Any new detection of Pd is worrisome because bats are vital for healthy ecosystems,” the release states. “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.”

White-nose syndrome 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 white-nose syndrome was reported in Southeastern Colorado.

Humans cannot become ill from white-nose syndrome, but they are able to spread the fungus to new places.

In order to conserve bat populations, the park is recommending that visitors report dead and injured bats to park personnel. Visitors should never touch or pick up a dead or injured bat due to the danger of diseases like rabies.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and other partners have been conducting white-nose syndrome surveys for over a decade, monitoring bats for the presence of the fungus. Colorado is home to 19 native bat species and at least 13 of them may be susceptible to the disease, the release states. All of Colorado’s native bats are 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 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 WhiteNoseSyndrome.org.