Montana Bats Fight Pest Fungus
State biologists vaccinated nearly 900 bats in a single night to combat white-nose syndrome.
By Rafael Delgado ·
Bats in Montana provide a free service to local farmers by eating insects.
State bat biologist Shannon Hilty notes that the state’s 15 bat species collectively consume large numbers of pests. She estimates this natural pest control is worth $680 million to the state’s agriculture sector every year.
The service is under threat from white-nose syndrome, a fungal disease first detected in Montana five years ago. The fungus has eliminated several colonies and continues to spread westward.
Hilty says the outlook is cautious but not hopeless. "It's not looking great, but thankfully, there are some actions that we are taking to help bats persist, and we're still holding on hope that it’ll play out differently," she says.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks began a vaccination effort near Libby this summer. Volunteers helped staff administer doses to the mouths of nearly 900 bats during one evening. Hilty describes this as the largest single-evening vaccination effort for bats recorded anywhere.
Early data shows the vaccine is working in other western colonies. Hilty encourages residents to view bats as neighbors rather than pests. She clarifies that only three vampire bat species exist globally, none live in Montana, and none feed on humans.
