Comox Valley Volunteers Combat Declining Bat Populations Amid Disease Threat

Comox Valley, British Columbia – On the night of June 18, 2025, a dedicated group of six volunteers congregated under the dimming twilight to participate in the British Columbia Annual Bat Count, an initiative aimed at monitoring bat populations and their health in the province. This year marks a critical period for these volunteers, as the looming threat of white-nose syndrome (WNS), a devastating fungal disease, poses significant risks to local bat species, particularly the little brown bat (Myotis lucifugus), which has already seen its numbers drastically decline across North America.

Heather Thomson, program manager for the Cumberland Community Forest Society, led the volunteer effort. She emphasized the importance of these counts, stating, “We are on the front lines of monitoring bat health and population dynamics.” According to the Wildlife Health Office of the provincial government, WNS has already killed an estimated six million bats in Canada and the United States since its discovery in 2006. The disease, which thrives in the hibernation conditions preferred by bats, has not yet reached Vancouver Island but was detected in Grand Forks, B.C. in 2023, raising alarm among conservationists.

The Annual Bat Count, initiated in 2012, is a crucial component of bat conservation efforts in British Columbia. Volunteers gather data on bat populations by counting the number of bats emerging from roosts and recording echolocation calls using specialized technology. This year, the volunteers observed 212 bats, a 50 percent increase from the previous year’s count at the same location. This rise in numbers offers a glimmer of hope amidst the ongoing threat of WNS, which can cause mortality rates as high as 100 percent in infected colonies.

Volunteers utilize mobile applications to document their findings, which aids researchers in assessing the health of bat populations across the province. Thomson noted that little brown bats are particularly vulnerable due to their social behavior, as they often roost in large colonies, facilitating the rapid spread of WNS. “It’s not a matter of if WNS will reach us, but when,” she warned, as she and her team remain vigilant in their monitoring efforts.

The role of bats in the ecosystem is invaluable; they contribute significantly to pest control, consuming vast numbers of insects nightly. According to the B.C. Community Bat Program, their dietary habits provide organic pest control services worth billions of dollars across North America. Each mother bat can consume nearly her body weight in insects each night, making them critical allies in agriculture and urban pest management.

The dedication of the volunteers reflects a broader community commitment to bat conservation. Thomson expressed urgency in recruiting more citizen scientists to participate in the yearly counts, stating, “Every year, we hold our breath, hoping for stable numbers. This work feels critical because we do have an opportunity to catch any declines early.”

As the volunteers concluded their count, the atmosphere was charged with a mix of hope and anxiety, underscoring the precarious state of bat populations in the region. Conservationists like Thomson are determined to continue their efforts, hoping that proactive measures will stave off the impending threat of WNS, which could trigger an expensive and intensive response to protect bat colonies from the disease.

For those interested in joining the fight against declining bat populations, Thomson encourages reaching out to the B.C. Community Bat Program for volunteer opportunities and information on how to assist in protecting these vital animals. The collective efforts of these volunteers not only contribute to scientific research but also foster a deeper appreciation for the ecological role of bats in the environment.