Wildlife officials are asking the public to report bat sightings to help track the spread of a deadly disease affecting hibernating bats in Newfoundland and Labrador.

White Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that causes hibernating animals to expend their energy reserves and become dehydrated, often leading to their deaths. Two species of bats native to this province are susceptible to the disease.

White Nose Syndrome has been confirmed in this province since 2017 after a case was identified on the West Coast. Since then, further cases were discovered across the western part of the island, and most recently in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Researchers are urging people to come forward with reports of bat sightings, as well as locations where bats are known or suspected to be hibernating.

However, the public is urged to avoid interacting with the animals or their hibernating grounds to avoid spreading the disease.

Report a bat sighting or a suspected bat shelter by calling the provincial Wildlife Research Ecologists at 709-637-2025, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative’s toll-free bat line at 1-833-434-BATS (2287).