White Nose Syndrome in Bats Closing Caves from New England to Arkansas

Lantern light no longer shines in caves located in the 11 states where bats are infected with the White Nose Syndrome. Cavers planning trips into infected areas should check with wildlife officials to be sure the caves are open. Most caves west of the Mississippi River, except those in Arkansas, remain open.

White Nose Syndrome is a fungus that is ripping through bat colonies from New England to Arkansas and into Canada. It first appears as white "fuzz" on the nose, wings and feet of bats. The fungus causes the bats to wake up from hibernation prematurely. No food is available for bats that awaken early and they die from starvation. The fungus is identified as Geomyces destructans. It is causing wildlife officials to close caves to the public in wildlife management areas in order to control the spread of this disease.

What started out as an anomaly in a cave located in Schoharie County, NY has spread through the Northeast and down through the Mid-Atlantic States. It is heading west and north. Confirmed cases have been noted in north-central Tennessee and as far north as Ontario, Canada. It is believed that the fungus is spread through bat to bat contact, bat to cave contact, and by humans who carry the fungus on their gear and clothing from cave to cave.

Spelunkers should be aware of this disease and do everything possible to prevent further outbreaks. The US Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that all gear be decontaminated prior to entering any cave. This includes scraping off all dirt from gear at the cave entrance, placing gear in sealed plastic bags or containers to be decontaminated off site, removing outer clothing or changing clothes prior to re-entering your vehicle after cave exploration, and washing all exposed skin with antibacterial cleaner or wipes. Gear and clothing should be washed in a bleach solution or with antibacterial cleaners and air dried.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service closed all caves on their managed lands in the effected areas as well as in areas adjacent to the infected areas. Spelunkers are being asked to observe these cave closings although they negatively impact spelunking opportunities in many states. It is imperative that bat populations are protected. Once infected with the fungus, bat colonies have a 90 to 100% mortality rate.

Large commercial caves and caves on privately owned lands are not affected. The latest closures in Arkansas are Farmer's Cave, Devil's Den Cave, and The Ice Box crevice, located in Devil's Den State Park and War Eagle Cave located in Withrow Springs State Park. In Tennessee, Dunbar Cave State Park has recently suspended all cave tours. Spelunkers should check with the proper authorities prior to planning trips into areas affected with White Nose Syndrome.

Hopefully the cave closings will be temporary and wildlife officials will be able to get White Nose Syndrome under control. Until then, expect more cave closures as this fungus spreads to other areas. Spelunkers and cavers should do their part to prevent the spread of this disease by observing proper decontamination procedures and avoiding caves in affected areas.