Bat White-nose Syndrome

(Last Update: February 9, 2010)

White-nose syndrome (WNS) has already killed over one million bats in the northeastern United States. It is called a syndrome because there appear to be two factors associated with it. The first is a fungus that covers bats as they hibernate and the second is low stored body fat in the affected bats. It was first discovered in upstate New York and has been spreading at the rate of about 200 miles (a bat’s range) each year to the south and west. While it has not yet been found within Tennessee, it has been found in both Virginia and West Virginia. In order the slow the spread of the fungus, some states and the Federal government have closed caves located on both state and federal property to the public. Raccoon Mountain Caverns is located on privately owned land and therefore remains open for tours.

As a precaution, we are no longer permitting anyone to bring their personal caving equipment and require that they use the equipment that we supply. Our tour prices already include the use of necessary equipment so there is no additional cost as a result of this policy update. We are also requiring that anyone who has visited another cave launder their clothing before entering our cave. Boots or shoes should be washed and treads should contain no visible dirt or debris. They should then be sprayed and wiped clean with Formula 409.

While it is believed to be spread bat-to-bat, responsible cave operators such as Raccoon Mountain Caverns are taking precautions so as not to contribute to the spread. Although no afflicted bats have been seen either within Raccoon Mountain Caverns or the State of Tennessee, we are working hard to help prevent the spread. All visitors to the wild cave are being asked to completely clean their clothes and boots before entering the cave. Raccoon Mountain Caverns has always provided its cavers with lights, helmets, gloves, and pads.

At this time, no one fully understands WNS. In fact, it is unknown as to whether the fungus is the cause of death or if there is an underlying condition that allows the fungus to take over. It is very important to note that the fungus only affects bats and not humans. Raccoon Mountain Caverns does not have large colonies of hibernating bats, as we seem to be the preferred home for solitary bachelor bats. Additionally, most of the bats within our cave system tend to hibernate in areas that are off the beaten path. 

Bats are the primary nocturnal insect eaters in many areas of the country. A typical bat can eat upwards of 600 insects (mostly mosquitoes) per hour, so it is obvious why there is much concern for the bats. One researcher estimates that the bats that have already died from WNS would have eaten 1.4 million pounds of insects per year. Since insects such as mosquitoes can spread a variety of diseases to humans, the rapid decline in bat populations from WNS has the potential to impact our health. Bats also eat insects that can devastate crops so farmers are also concerned about WNS. This is why there is so much concern about the decline in bat populations.

You Can Help !!

• Urge your Congressmen and Senators to provide funding for WNS research
• Ask your guide for updates and for more information on the most recent research
• Visit Bat Conservation International’s website at www.batcon.org for more information of white-nose syndrome and to learn more
• Clean your clothes between cave visits. This will help prevent the fungi from being transported from cave to cave by humans.

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