Bat carers should be aware of the symptoms of WNS which has devastated bat populations in North America.
These symptoms are:
Bats with a white fungus (Pseudogymnoascus destructans), particularly around the nose, but also on the
wings, ears and/or tail,
Bats clustered near the entrance of hibernacula, or in areas not normally identified as winter roost sites,
Bats flying outside during the day in temperatures at or below freezing, and/or
Dead or dying bats in or near hibernation sites.
In the UK (and Europe) the fungus is present but without the mass mortality or other symptoms observed in
North America – suggesting that our bats have a resistance to the fungus developed over thousands of years.
BCT has released specific guidance for bat carers detailing signs to look for and processes to follow (see
Further information, support and references for further details).