Residents observing dead or sick bats on the ground or bats flying during winter are asked to report sightings to provincial wildlife ecologists. Public reports about bat behavior help detect and track white-nose syndrome, a deadly, non-native bat disease that kills hibernating bat species.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Little Brown Myotis and Northern Myotis bat species are both susceptible to white-nose syndrome and both species are listed as endangered under the provincial Endangered Species Act. It is illegal to disturb, harass, injure or capture bats, or to disturb or destroy their residences, including overwintering sites and roost sites, such as maternal colonies.

White-nose syndrome has been present in the province since 2017 and has been reported throughout the western portion of the Island. The fungus that causes the disease has also been detected in the Happy Valley-Goose Bay area of Labrador and in central Newfoundland.

To report a bat sighting or a suspected bat dwelling, please contact the provincial Wildlife Division at 709-637-2025 or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative toll-free bat line at 1-833-434-BATS (2287). Never touch a bat with bare hands, and do not enter hibernation sites. Only wildlife officials should handle or collect injured or sick wildlife. More information about WNS is available here.

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