WNS Closes Tennessee Caves

A fungus that’s killed at least half a million bats in New England and mid-Atlantic states has led to the closure of public caves here in Tennessee.

White Nose Syndrome was discovered in upstate New York three years ago and swept as far south as Virginia earlier this year.

Endangered species coordinator Richard Kirk of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency says the one-year cave closure should slow the spread of the fungus, which has killed up to 95% of infected bat populations.

“White Nose was something that we kept up with, but it was in the Northeast. And so it really wasn’t on the front burner here until we got this major jump.”

There’s particular concern about the death of an estimated 25,000 Indiana bats, which are listed as endangered. Kirk says Tennessee may be more susceptible to outbreaks because, unlike many bats up north, those living in the south dwell in caves year round.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife suggests all states bordering Virginia consider cave closure.

Biologists believe cavers may be partly to blame for spreading the fungus by not disinfecting their gear before entering a new cave.

The new fine for entering a cave on TWRA property is $500. With an estimated 9,000 caves in the state, most are on private property.