Illinois Caves Closing to Save Bats from Deadly Disease
The problem, according to IDNR, is that the white-nose syndrome (WNS) has now been confirmed in Missouri, threatening Midwestern bat populations. The Illinois caves are closing to hopefully slow the spread of the disease by human visitors.
The closure continues until further notice at the unimproved Illinois Caverns site near Waterloo in southwest Monroe County. According to Great River Roads, the cave is located in a 120-acre state natural area and is the state's second-largest cave, which first had paying visitors as early as 1901. The state has owned the cave since 1985.
Five other locations are also affected. IDNR is acting on the recommendation of the US Fish and Wildlife Service which has acted to close other caves in the country as a precaution.
The closure is in response to the confirmation of the disease in Missouri and fears of further spread throughout the region.
No one knows where white-nose syndrome originated but it is credited with killing hundredsof thousands of bats across the US northeast over the past three years. Some of those bat species are listed as threatened or endangered. Wildlife officials say that some of the largest colonies of hibernating bats in the country are also jeopardized.
The focus is a brand-new fungus no one has ever seen before and which may have been introduced into the US from overseas. The fungus thrives in cold, wet conditions found in case and abandoned mines. Humans could theoretically spread the fungus from cave to cave on boots and gear.
Ken Redeker, vice chairperson of the Windy City Grotto of the National Speleological Society, told the Belleville News Democrat that while he favors precuations to protect the bats, he questions the assumptions by wildlife officials. He said that bat migration could be a factor in the spread of the disease and human activity may be unrelated to human activity.
Kath admits IDNR's closure order is no a cure for the problem, but will hopefully slow the further spread of white-nose syndrome. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to confirm cause of the disease and what can be done about it.
"Whatever is causing WNS may remain in caves where bats hibernate even when bats are not present," said Kath, "and we are concerned that people may inadvertently carry WNS out of the cave with them."
The closure will be reviewed quarterly.
Privately-owned caves are unaffected although IDNR is asking local government, public organizations, and private landowners to follow their lead and close caves to human activity.
Metro-east's Only Underground State Park Closes to Save Bats, bnd.com
IDNR Closing State Owned and Managed Caves, Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Visitor's Guide to Illinois Caverns State Natural Area, greatriverroad.com,
Published by Nick Howes
Nick Howes is news director, WNSV-FM, Nashville, IL. Articles in Fate Magazine, Old Farmers Almanac, other publications. Website: Southern Illinois Road Trip. View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentI've always thought bats were interesting. Nice work on the article. :-)
Very interesting; thanks for sharing! :-)
Oh wow--I love cave-in-rock Illinois--wonder if they closed it too?