Temporary Cave Closure(s) to help Bats

Submitted by omr_admin on Mon, 2009-11-23 17:22

From the office of the Buffalo National River - January 23, 2009

To help stop the spread of the Geomyces sp. fungus suspected to be the
causative agent of White Nose Syndrome which is fatal to bats, all Buffalo
National River caves are closed to recreational caving until further notice
with the exception of the following:

  The caves in Lost Valley from Eden Falls Cave to the Lost Valley
     Campground parking area are open to unrestricted recreational caving.
     This list of open caves consists of Eden Falls Cave, Lost Valley
     Natural Bridge, Cob Cave, and Natural Bridge Cave.

  The caves along the trail system at Buffalo Point are open to
     unrestricted recreational caving except for Bat Cave which is closed.
     This list of open caves consists of the Indian Rockhouse Cave, Indian
     Rockhouse Sink, Panther Cave, Twenty-Nine and a Half Cave, Forest
     Trail Pit, Overlook(ed) Cave, Bullet Cave, and Sinkhole Icebox.

  Back O’ Beyond Cave and Silver Hill Cave are open only for NPS guided
     interpretive tours.

All cave research in the park requires a permit.  This permit will
stipulate protocols to prevent the spread of White Nose Syndrome to or
between park caves. Researchers must carry a copy of the permit with them
while in the cave(s) and travelling through the park to and from the
cave(s).

According to park Geologist Chuck Bitting, Buffalo National River is one of
the most cave-rich units of the National Park System with over 360
documented caves.  The caves of Buffalo National River contain three
species of bat on the Federal Endangered Species List, as well as four bat
species which are not listed.  In addition to the bat species, the caves
are home to a complex ecosystem containing wood rats, salamanders, frogs,
insects, spiders, and other arthropods.  Bat guano is often considered the
base of the food chain for these ecosystems, and the loss of bats to White
Nose Syndrome could cause the extinction of several species only found in
the Buffalo River area.

If you have further questions, you may contact:
BUFF_Superintendent@nps.gov or call 870-365-2700