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More than 90 percent of Oklahoma's caves are in private ownership, and cave managers are facing new challenges with the confirmation of white-nose syndrome, a relatively new bat disease.

White-nose syndrome is caused by a fungus, Pseudogymnoascus destructans, that grows on hibernating bats' muzzles and wings. It is thought this fungal growth irritates the bats, waking them when their food resources -- namely insects -- are minimal. Because these wakened bats use valuable stored energy and are likely unable to refuel by eating, they may not survive the winter.

Wildlife biologists with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation are concerned how this disease will affect our bat populations in the future.

Bats and their cave environments are incredibly sensitive. Because of this, wildlife biologists recommend limiting access to public and private caves, when possible. This simple action can not only help prevent the spread of the fungus, but also helps protect our bats from human disturbance. If overwintering bats are awakened or disturbed, they may use their valuable fat stores instead of hibernating their way through the season. Conversely, if bats are disturbed in the spring and summer they may accidentally drop their pups to the cave floor while attempting to escape.

If visitors are allowed in privately-owned caves, the Wildlife Department strongly recommends the visitors follow proper decontamination procedures. Cave owners also have the option to require any cave visitor use equipment and supplies that have not been in any white-nose syndrome confirmed or fungus positive counties in the nation.

Wildlife biologists have been testing for the disease and associated fungus since 2010 in public and private caves. A privately-owned Delaware County cave first tested positive for the fungus in the winter of 2014-2015, and was confirmed to have white-nose syndrome in the winter of 2016-2017. The fungus has since spread to Cherokee and Adair counties in the winter of 2015-2016, and to Ottawa and Sequoyah counties in the winter of 2016-2017.

While the fungus has yet to be documented in western Oklahoma's gypsum cave systems, hibernating bats from gypsum caves in six Texas counties (Childress, Collingsworth, Cottle, Hardeman, King, and Scurry) tested positive for the fungus earlier this year.

Oklahoma's bat diversity is incredible -- at least 24 species of bats have been documented in our state. All of our bats are active at night, and feed on insects. Oklahoma has two major cave formations; limestone caves are found in the eastern-third of Oklahoma while gypsum caves are primarily found in our mixed-grass prairies.

Wildlife biologists are continuing to discover more about white-nose syndrome and the fungus that causes it. Learn more about the research efforts, what's going on around the nation, and more at whitenosesyndrome.org

(Photos courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife)