Deadly Fungus Threatens California's Bat Populations

The fungus causing white-nose syndrome, which has devastated bats across North America, has been detected in multiple California counties.

The fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, has been confirmed in Humboldt, Sutter, Placer, Amador, and Inyo counties.
White-nose syndrome damages bats' wings and disrupts hibernation, leading to starvation and dehydration.
While no visible signs of the disease have been observed in California bats, its presence is a major concern for wildlife officials.
Bats play a critical role in pest control, contributing an estimated $3.7 billion annually to agriculture by consuming thousands of insects each night.
Wildlife officials urge the public to avoid handling bats and report any sightings of sick or dead bats to help monitor the spread of the fungus.