U.S. Forest Service closes state caves until '19 to protect bats

All caves on U.S. Forest Service lands in Arkansas will remain closed until at least 2019, the agency announced Monday, as efforts to contain the spread of white nose syndrome continue.

The fungus, first detected in the United States in 2007, has killed more than 5 million cave-dwelling bats across the country. Evidence of the fungus was first detected in Arkansas in 2009, and in January 2014, the first white nose syndrome fatalities were detected in a Marion County cave, according to previous Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports. In March, additional fatalities were found in Stone County.

In 2010, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission also closed all caves on public lands where the agency monitors wildlife.

The five-year closure extends to all 13 states within the Forest Service's Southern region. C.J. Norvell, a Forest Service spokesman for the Ozark, St. Francis and Ouachita forests, said the decision to enact a five-year closure came after having renewed several single-year closures for most of the past decade.

"We saw it marching toward Arkansas," a Forest Service spokesman for the Ozark, St. Francis and Ouachita forests. Norvell said. "It's hitting the top tier of those Southern states right now, and it doesn't look like things are going to change any time soon."

While the fungus itself does not appear to be fatal to bats, it does cause them to awaken during their hibernation periods and burn through fat stores needed to survive the winter. The fungus is believed to be spread in many cases by humans exploring caves and tracking spores from one cave to the next on clothing and equipment.

Norvell said there are more than 800 caves within the Ozark National Forest. She said bats that roost in trees or along bluffs seem to be less susceptible to the fungus.

The ban does not extend to caves on private land, although Norvell said the Forest Service is urging spelunkers to take precautions against spreading the white nose syndrome fungus from cave to cave.

According to a Forest Service news release, Blanchard Springs Cavern, about 5 miles west of Mountain Home in Stone County, will remain open for public tours. Personnel at the cave will enforce U.S. Fish and Wildlife sanitation protocols for all visitors.

If individuals think they see evidence of white nose syndrome, they should contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission at (800) 364-4263.

NW News on 07/01/2014

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