Parks Canada deploys bacteria to curb deadly white-nose syndrome in Alberta bats

Parks Canada crews in Alberta are applying a blend of bacteria in bat caves to slow the spread of white-nose syndrome, a deadly fungal infection that wakes hibernating bats, drains their fat reserves, and can wipe out large portions of a colony (up to about 98%). The outbreak has affected caves such as in Jasper National Park, threatening local bat populations, though it poses no risk to humans. The effort aims to prevent local extinction of Alberta’s hibernating bats.