Surveys Help Protect Unique Cave Resources
In February 2023, the Forest Service partnered with Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife to survey caves and count hibernating bats on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest! The crew was joined by Shawn Thomas from Bat Conservation International, and local cavers from Oregon Grotto. Over 41 caves were surveyed, and several large colonies of bats (>100) were located.
Caves are often critical habitat for bats, providing them with safe and stable roosting opportunities where they can avoid disturbance and predation and allow for the ability to raise their pups.
Crews surveyed for White Nose Syndrome (a deadly fungal disease for bats) as well as bat presence and species. Surveys are typically conducted in the coldest months of the year when bats are in deep hibernation and least likely to be disturbed. Cave inspections are conducted in teams of two or three people maximum- for safety and minimum disturbance. Unless swabbing for White Nose Syndrome, inspectors keep at least six feet from hibernating bats. If swabbing, they wear M95 masks and gloves to prevent potential disease transfer.
Sadly, some of the caves surveyed had hundreds of graffiti drawn in the sparkling bacteria, sometimes referred to as cave slime, that grows on the cave walls. The bacteria represent millions of years of evolution in highly inhospitable and challenging environments and thousands of different and rare species! Cave environments are very fragile, unique places. Dragging your finger through cave slime can literally take thousands of years to repair.
Cave surveys like these help wildlife biologists monitor our local bat population and establish an unde
rstanding of how many and what species are using specific caves. This information allows managers to better monitor bat health and provide adequate protections if necessary. Please help protect bats by not disturbing them, and by working to prevent the spread of fungal diseases like White-nose syndrome.
The Federal Cave Resources Protection Act of 1988 (FCRPA)(16 U.S.C. § 4301 et seq.) directs the secretaries of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture to inventory and list significant caves on federal lands. This act recognizes that significant caves are an invaluable and irreplaceable part of our natural heritage, and that caves may be threatened by improper use and increased recreational demand. The purpose of the act is to secure and protect significant caves on federal land for the benefit and enjoyment of all people while fostering increased cooperation and information exchange among those who use caves for scientific, educational, or recreational purposes.
Photo credit: Shawn Thomas of Bat Conservation International.