Bat White-nose Syndrome

(Last Update: July 19, 2011)

White-nose syndrome (WNS) has already killed over one million bats in the northeastern United States. Its name is derived from the characteristic white ring that is found on the face and wings of affected bats. 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. It has been found in both Virginia, West Virginia, eastern Missouri, and, most recently, in both northern and eastern Tennessee. It has also spread to the north and has been found in Ontario, Canada.  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.

Biologists at the Smokey Mountain National Park recently reported that a Little Brown Bat observed in White Oak Blowhole Cave tested positive for WNS. This finding is especially worrisome since this cave contains the largest known colony of endangered Indiana bats in the country. Of particular importance is the fact that the National Park Service closed all of the caves to tourists in the Smokey Mountain Park over one year ago. This implies that the primary transmission is most likely from bat to bat rather than from being carried on visitor’s clothing.

Nevertheless, 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 Chattanooga area, we are working hard to help prevent the spread. The recent announcement from the National Park Service indicates that a case of WNS has been found approximately one hundred and fifty miles from the Chattanooga area.  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 (virus, environmental factors such as pesticides, etc.) 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. 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.
• Be sure to “Press A Penny & Save A Bat” while visiting Raccoon Mountain Caverns. Since December of 2009, we have been donating a portion of the proceeds from our souvenir Penny Press to Bat Conservation International (BCI)

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