DNR seeks cave closures because of bat illness concerns

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) _ At least seven caves in West Virginia have been closed to spelunkers because of concerns about a mysterious illness that has ravaged bat populations in three other states.

They are among 41 caves in the state known to have bat colonies. The state Division of Natural Resources has asked the owners or managers of all 41 caves to close them to cavers to prevent "white nose syndrome" from affecting West Virginia's bat population.

"We're trying to be proactive because so much is at stake," said Jack Wallace, an environmental resource specialist with the DNR's Wildlife Diversity Program. "Hopefully, it will turn out that we're being more conservative than necessary."

White nose is named for the white ring of fungus found on some stricken bats. It has killed thousands of hibernating bats in caves in New York, Vermont and Massachusetts. Researchers don't know whether the fungus around the bats' noses is a cause or a symptom.

"We don't know what's causing it, how to treat it, or how to stop its spread," Wallace said. "It's possible that soil on the clothing and gear of cavers visiting infected caves could carry pathogens or bacteria into other caves."

"That's why cavers are being asked to avoid certain caves, and to clean all their clothing and gear after visiting a cave before traveling to additional caves."

Wallace said the DNR's annual survey of bat hibernation caves found no evidence of white nose in the state.

Meanwhile, the Friends of Blackwater Canyon, the Vermont-based Center for Biological Diversity and Heartwood, a conservation group, have asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to close bat hibernation sites to the public. The groups also want the agency to pull permits for federal projects such as road-building, controlled burns and logging operations that could harm endangered bats.

"We think the government should take immediate action not only to find the cause and cure for this mysterious disease, but consult with federal agencies like the Forest Service to negotiate additional protections for these bats," said Judith Rodd, director of the Friends of Blackwater.