There's never been a better time to Buy BC and support local growers, producers and the food we love right here in BC.  Explore Buy BC products
Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. Government of B.C. BC Gov News
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Live Webcast
  • News  
  • News  
  • By Ministry
    • Office of the Premier
    • Agriculture and Food
    • Attorney General
    • Children and Family Development
    • Citizens' Services
    • Education and Child Care
    • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
    • Energy and Climate Solutions
    • Environment and Parks
    • Finance
    • Forests
    • Health
    • Housing and Municipal Affairs
    • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
    • Infrastructure
    • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
    • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
    • Labour
    • Mining and Critical Minerals
    • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
    • Public Safety and Solicitor General
    • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
    • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
    • Transportation and Transit
    • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship
  • Subscribe
Live Webcast
By Ministry
  • Office of the Premier
  • Agriculture and Food
  • Attorney General
  • Children and Family Development
  • Citizens' Services
  • Education and Child Care
  • Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
  • Energy and Climate Solutions
  • Environment and Parks
  • Finance
  • Forests
  • Health
  • Housing and Municipal Affairs
  • Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
  • Infrastructure
  • Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat
  • Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
  • Labour
  • Mining and Critical Minerals
  • Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
  • Public Safety and Solicitor General
  • Social Development and Poverty Reduction
  • Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
  • Transportation and Transit
  • Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Environment and Parks

Public asked to report bat activity during winter months

Share

More from this Ministry
Honourable Tamara Davidson

Honourable Tamara Davidson

Honourable Tamara Davidson

Read Bio

Contact

Email: ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca

close menu Environment and Parks

New, adaptive mountain-biking trail opens in Alice Lake Park

April 15, 2025 8:00 AM
New, adaptive mountain-biking trail opens in Alice Lake Park
A new, beginner-friendly adaptive mountain-biking trail at Alice Lake Park is now open, giving more people better access to local trails and a more inclusive experience.
  Read More

B.C. supports land stewardship at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park

April 24, 2025 10:30 AM
ALL NEWS FROM THIS MINISTRY
More from this Ministry
  • Factsheets & Opinion Editorials
  • Search News
  • Minister's Bio
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Print

Environment and Parks

British Columbia News

Public asked to report bat activity during winter months

https://news.gov.bc.ca/05571

Share

Information Bulletin

Victoria
Monday, January 20, 2014 10:30 AM

Share

Information Bulletin

Victoria

Monday, January 20, 2014 10:30 AM

More from this Ministry

  • Factsheets
  • Ministry Website
  • Ministry Photos
  • Ministry Videos

Featured Topics

  • BC Parks
  • Air Quality
  • Environmental Protection and Sustainability
  • Conservation Officer Service
  • Environmental Assessment Office

Featured Services

  • Report All Polluters & Poachers (RAPP)
  • Report a Spill
  • Recreational Sites and Trails

A disease that has killed millions of bats in eastern North America may arrive in British Columbia during the next five to 10 years.

White Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that kills bats during their winter hibernation period. In order to improve the understanding of bat biology in B.C. and potentially increase their survival rate from the disease, provincial wildlife officials are urging the public to report any bats observed flying during daylight hours this winter, or sites where they are known or thought to hibernate.

Bats provide tremendous benefits because they are such effective consumers of pest insects, and their loss could lead to significant ecological and economic impacts.

White Nose Syndrome is named for the fuzzy white fungal growth on the nose, ears and wings of hibernating bats. First discovered in New York State in 2007, the disease has killed millions of bats in 22 states and five Canadian provinces.

The fungus is thought to have been introduced to North America and is primarily spread by bat-to-bat contact, although human spread by contaminated clothing and gear cannot be ruled out. It is currently not known to exist in bat colonies west of the Rockies.

Scientists in B.C. are working to understand what bats need, how to protect them from White Nose Syndrome and how to help populations survive should the disease arrive. One of the first steps is to better understand bat behaviour and habitat use in the winter.

British Columbians are urged to contact provincial government biologists at 250 387-9500 if they see bats in the winter. Information of particular importance is the location of winter bat roosting sites, unusual behaviour such as flying during the day, and observation of dead or dying bats.

For more information on how to help protect British Columbia's bats, consult the "Current Issues" section of the B.C. Wildlife Health webpage: www.env.gov.bc.ca/wld/wldhealth/

For more information on reporting invasive species in your area, visit the Invasive Species Council of B.C. website: www.bcinvasives.ca

Media Contact:

Media Relations
Ministry of Environment
250 953-3834

https://news.gov.bc.ca/05571

Related Articles

New, adaptive mountain-biking trail opens in Alice Lake Park

April 15, 2025 8:00 AM

B.C. supports land stewardship at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park

April 24, 2025 10:30 AM

Increased BC Parks licence plate sales support more, better parks programs

April 30, 2025 11:07 AM
BC Gov News

Connect with the Ministry

Photos

View the Ministry's latest photos on Flickr.

Videos

Watch the Ministry's latest videos on YouTube.

The B.C. Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C. and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands. We acknowledge the rights, interests, priorities, and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations, Métis, and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures, histories, rights, laws, and governments.

Government of B.C. Government of B.C.

We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options.   Call, email or text us, or find a service centre.

Connect with Us

  • Subscribe
  • Social and RSS

More Info

  • BC Gov
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility
  • Copyright
  • Contact Us

© 2025 Government of British Columbia