Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome, has been discovered on a bat in Utah for the first time. The sampling was conducted in May of this year in Canyonlands National Park. Officials point out there is as of yet no evidence of mortality or disease in a bat, just the presence of the fungus.

The fungus was detected on a Townsend’s big-eared bat roosting in a mine adit and in an environmental sample collected from the floor of that same mine. No other positive detections on bats have been observed at this time.

Though this is the first detection of Pd in Utah, the fungus and the disease it causes have been confirmed in bats in multiple surrounding states. White-nose sydnrome has killed millions of bats across North America and has now spread to 40 states and nine Canadian provinces. The Utah State Division of Wildlife Resources and partnering federal agencies will continue further surveillance and monitoring to better understand the spread of Pd and white-nose syndrome and its potential impact to bats in Utah.

Bats are important for healthy ecosystems and anyone can help protect them. Never handle bats and report unusual bat behavior, sick or dead bats to your local bat expert. Minimize disturbance by avoiding caves and mines where bats are known or suspected to hibernate. Respect all cave closures and follow white-nose syndrome decontamination guidelineswhen cleaning gear used for recreating in underground environments like caves and mines.