White-Nose Syndrome

Since 1946, people have visited Carter Caves to enjoy the adventure and scenic wonders of the several caves that are located on the park. Now, due to White-Nose Syndrome (WNS), the Park is taking measures to protect a valuable natural resource, bats.

Since its discovery in 2006, Geomyces destructans, a fungus new to North America, is responsible for the deaths of more than a million hibernating bats across the eastern United States. Bats are a vital part of our ecosystem consuming millions of insect pests per year and play a role in pollination. All of the bats in Kentucky are insect eaters. Therefore, it is imperative that Carter Caves State Park protect this natural resource of bats.

This fungus thrives in cool, dark environments like caves and mines where bats live and hibernate. Significant evidence indicates that humans can and have transmitted the fungus from one cave to another, contributing to the spread while having absolutely no harmful effects on humans. Several of the caves at Carter Caves are hibernacula areas for several species that include the federally endangered Indiana Bat, the Little Brown Bat, and the Tri-colored (Eastern Pipistrelle) Bat. In fact, Carter Caves is home to one of the largest hibernation colonies of the Indiana Bat, with winter estimates at 40,000 calling this park their winter home.

In 2009, the Department of Parks ceased the issuing of permits for recreational caving. All the caves are closed except for two commercial caves. Saltpeter Cave, formerly a commercial cave, is likewise closed since it is a hibernacula for Indiana Bats. The park also ceased to offer an annual cave specific event, the Crawlathon, having replaced it with the Winter Adventure Weekend. Presently, there are only two commercial caves, X Cave and Cascade Cave that visitors may tour with a ticket purchase.

In 2010, WNS was found in southern Ohio, which is only 90 miles from Carter Caves. Therefore, this Park, like many other commercial caves and parks have done, is requiring all cave visitors to visit a White-Nose Syndrome station at the Welcome Center prior to cave tours and every person on the tour must comply with decontamination procedures.

You can help us save bats by following these simple guidelines:
• Do not wear any shoes that have been in another cave or mine since 2005. If you cannot change shoes after a tour in another cave or mine, be prepared to sanitize your shoes before the tour begins. Arrive 30 minutes early for decontamination. This only involves a short 5-10 minute process.
• Do not wear any clothing, or carry any objects into X or Cascade Cave that you wore or carried into a mine since 2005. Please leave any potentially contaminated objects at home, in your room, or in your vehicle.
• You will not be allowed to go on the tour with clothing or items that have been in affected caves or mines. Your compliance is essential in this regard.
• If you have questions, please visit the White-Nose Station or the Naturalist Office at the Visitor Center. A naturalist will be happy to assist you.


White Nose Syndrome and Cave Tours

Because of the risk of White-Nose Syndrome possibilities, the following are prohibited on cave tours at Carter Cavers State Resort Park:
• Camera Bags and Tripods
• Strollers
• Luggage (suitcases, duffel bags, etc.)
• Backpacks
• BAGS of any type, including purses, fanny packs, diaper bags, camera cases, etc. Bags containing necessary medicinal supplies are permitted.
• Sandals/flip-flops, etc. Please wear appropriate shoes that cover the entire foot for safety.
• Pets

All cave touring participants at Carter Caves State Resort Park will be required to walk on bio-mats after exiting the cave tour. This process will require each individual in your party to walk across the length of a nylon mat saturated with Lysol IC™ solution compared to that used in home cleaning. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), containing the active ingredients of Lysol IC™ and the concentration being used, are available at the White-Nose Station at the Welcome Center.

The Park asks for your cooperation with this important measure to help prevent the possible spread of the fungus responsible for the White-Nose Syndrome to other caves or mines.

The park apologizes for the inconvenience. And, thank you for doing your part to minimize the risk of spreading the disease that is causing so many fatalities to many of our bat species throughout the eastern United States.

For additional information on White-Nose Syndrome, visit the “Battle for the Bats” link at http://www.caves.org/WNS/battle_for_bats.htm