GLASGOW —
A disease known to be deadly to bats has been detected in a cave located within Mammoth Cave National Park’s boundaries.
Mammoth Cave officials issued a press release about the detection of the disease, white-nose syndrome, on Wednesday.
“It grieves me to make this announcement,” said Sarah Craighead, superintendent of the national park in the press release. “A northern long-eared bat, showing symptoms of white-nose syndrome, was found in Long Cave in the park. The bat was euthanized on Jan. 4 and sent for laboratory testing. Those tests confirmed white-nose syndrome.”
Long Cave, which is an undeveloped cave that is 1.3 miles long, is the national park’s largest bat hibernaculum, housing endangered Indiana bats and gray bats, along with other non-threatened species. Long Cave is not connected to Mammoth Cave and has not been open to visitors for more than 80 years, the press release stated.
“White-nose syndrome is mostly spread from bat to bat,” said Tres Seymour, a Mammoth Cave spokesman, adding the fungus Gemoyces destructans causes the disease.
“Generally speaking, the most devastating impact is among colonial bats; that is bats that hibernate or roost together,” he said.
Bats that have the fungus spores on them end up rubbing against other bats while hibernating and will spread the disease, Seymour said.
For the full story, see the print or e-edition of Friday's Glasgow Daily Times.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Northern long-eared bat with visible symptoms of white-nose syndrome.
Discussion
January 17, 2013
Infected bat found at cave in Mammoth Cave National Park
- Local News
-
-
More than 300 graduate
-
Cave City Honors Jolly
Cave City Mayor Dwayne Hatcher presented a framed proclamation to Reva Jolly, widow of Steve Jolly, a Barren County constable representing the 6th District and a former Barren County deputy sheriff and former fire chief for the Cave City Volunteer Fire Department on Monday night during the Cave City City Council meeting.
- Eaton case is ongoing until final judgment
- Matthews: Repairs should cost just under $1 million
-
Dog Show to continue through the weekend
The 24th annual American Working Dog Federation IPO3 Championship and Team Challenge is going on through Sunday at the Barren River Lake State Park.
- Officials discuss jail healthcare costs
- Deputy ag commissioner back in retirement
- Environmental groups seek court review from cabinet order
- GHS has minimal water damage after fire alarm
-
Monroe County Marble Club members enjoy a game of 'Rolley Hole'
- More Local News Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree
Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel?
Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind
Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Quick Response Saved Baby on Phila. Train Tracks
One Million Evacuated As Cyclone Hits Bangladesh
