Texas Parks & Wildlife ask for help in tracking bats sick with White-Nose Syndrome

LUBBOCK, Texas — Texas Parks and Wildlife are asking the public to help them track bats sick with a disease called white-nose syndrome.

It’s caused by a fungus that originated in the northeast and is now spreading to Texas. White-nose syndrome has already been found in 18 Texas counties – even Childress.

Parks and Wildlife have asked the public to report any bats acting oddly during the day time or appearing to be dead on the ground.

Fortunately, the disease cannot spread to humans, but bats can carry several viruses, so it is important that if you see a bat acting odd–you do not touch it, you report it to animal control and email wns@tpwd.texas.gov.

“As this pathogen is moving west, we need to know we need to get a better idea what species are susceptible,” said Richard Stevens, Bat Specialist and Professor of Natural Resources Management at Texas Tech.

During cold weather, white-nose syndrome is likely to spread even more.

Read the full article on everythinglubbock.com, published February 11, 2021.