Deadly Bat Fungus Confirmed in Nevada’s Lake Mead, Raising Conservation Concerns
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) has confirmed the presence of Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome (WNS), in bats inhabiting the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. This discovery marks the first detection of the fungus in Nevada, a significant development given the critical role bats play in the state’s ecosystem and the potential for widespread impacts on wildlife conservation efforts.
Officials identified the fungus during routine surveillance of bat populations in the expansive Lake Mead area, which spans over 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, and reservoirs, according to the National Park Service. While no bats have yet exhibited the telltale clinical signs of WNS—such as the characteristic white fungal growth on their muzzles and wings—the presence of Pd signals a looming threat. White-nose syndrome, first documented in New York in 2006, has devastated bat populations across much of the United States and Canada, causing mass mortality by disrupting hibernation cycles and leading to starvation.
Jonathan Young, a wildlife specialist with NDOW, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Nevada’s bats are incredibly important, and this fungus could have serious implications for their conservation,” Young said. “We knew it was a matter of time before Pd arrived in Nevada, and we have been vigilantly surveying bats for many years now, not only for this fungus but also to track their population trends.”
The fungus thrives in cold, humid environments where bats hibernate, spreading easily from bat to bat. According to Dr. Marc Siegel, senior medical analyst, humans can inadvertently facilitate the spread by carrying spores on clothing or gear from cave to cave. “Fungus likes cold blood, and the bats cool down when they are hibernating. But the fungus forms a fuzz on their wings and muzzles. As they wake up from hibernation, they start behaving strangely and often die of starvation,” Siegel explained. Importantly, the disease currently poses no direct threat to humans unless the fungus were to mutate, he added.
In response to the detection, NDOW and park officials are intensifying efforts to monitor bat populations and contain the spread of Pd. Measures include sterilizing equipment used in caves and mines, protecting bat habitats, and educating the public about the risks. Visitors to Lake Mead are strongly urged to avoid entering abandoned mines and caves, both for their own safety and to prevent unintentional transmission of the fungus to new bat colonies.
The discovery of Pd in Nevada underscores the ongoing challenges wildlife agencies face in combating white-nose syndrome nationwide. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues to coordinate research and management strategies to mitigate the disease’s impact, which has resulted in the loss of millions of bats since its emergence.
Lake Mead’s status as a popular tourist destination adds complexity to the situation, as the balance between public access and wildlife protection becomes increasingly delicate. Officials are working closely with recreational users to promote responsible visitation practices that minimize ecological disturbance.
As winter progresses, NDOW will maintain heightened surveillance and update the public as new information becomes available. For now, the emphasis remains on vigilance and cooperation to safeguard Nevada’s bat populations, which provide essential ecological services such as insect control and pollination.
For more information on white-nose syndrome and how to help prevent its spread, visitors and residents can consult resources provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Geological Survey National Wildlife Health Center.
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