The outlook on the health of Alberta’s bats has been made worse with the arrival of the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome. However, we can still save our bats if everyone, including industry, governments, and the public, works together. Read about the situation in this month’s edition of the Nature Alberta Magazine: https://naturealberta.ca/magazine/
Deadly Fungus Adds to Alberta’s Bat Conservation Concerns Read More »
Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome in bats, was found in Alberta for the first time in 2022. This fungus has already killed millions of bats in North America and is responsible for Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis being listed as Endangered in Alberta.
The detection occurred along the Red Deer River, near Dinosaur Provincial Park. The badlands and eroded coulees in this region represents the largest known hibernation area in Alberta for multiple species of bats, so detection of Pd in this region is concerning to biologists.
We detected Pd at a bridge surveyed as part of WCS Canada’s project examining use of bridges by bats across western Canada. This detection would not have been possible without the support of numerous contributors, including donors, government agencies, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, community partners and volunteers. But our work is only beginning. We now need to monitor to better understand what bat species are affected, and how the disease affects bat numbers in the province.
To learn more, visit our Bats and Bridges project webpage.
(Photo: Horsethief Canyon—part of the extensive hibernation habitat found along the Red Deer River, where Pd was first detected in Alberta)
Fungus that Causes White-nose Syndrome Now in Alberta Read More »
Bats in Alberta face many conservation challenges, with potentially serious consequences to the environment and economy. But there are many things we can still do to save bats. Read our article on Page 14 of the Lethbridge County Rural Living & Ag Extension Newsletter. Photo: Melissa Penney.
Download the Fall 2022 Edition of the Lethbridge County Newsletter
Why the Loss of Bats Matters Read More »
For the last two years, we’ve been working with our partners to survey bridges across Western Canada, including Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Northwest Territories (with more to come). Our results have demonstrated that bridges are important habitats for bats, and these locations are proving invaluable as monitoring sites for bats.
Read about our project in the PBS Nature Blog.
Hanging Out With Bats Under Bridges Read More »
We have been working hard to create a new website for the program. Check back regularly as we develop new content and update existing information.
Be sure to follow us on social media to say up to date on the latest in bat news.
We have a new website! Read More »
It’s that time of year—young bats are learning to fly! Bats are now in a race to fatten up before the start of winter hibernation. They are learning to fly and are experimenting with finding suitable places to rest during the day. They also need to undergo long-distance journeys to their winter habitats. They don’t always make good decisions and often end up in unusual locations. Be kind and keep an eye out for these young flyers.
Bat pups are taking their first flights! Read More »
We have created an updated brochure on managing bats in buildings. Featured in this brochure is our new bat calendar! Check it out to learn what bats are doing at any particular time f year, and when is an acceptable time to perform bat exclusions.
Download the free brochure to see the calendar!
Bat calendar released Read More »
