WNS and Spelunking Morality

The trip to Trout Lake was a disaster. I didn't cave. Unfortunately, I succumbed to social anxiety, and the long drive to Trout Lake made me consider my morality.

This is my dilemma...

In March, there was a confirmed sighting of a bat with White Nose Syndrome in North Bend, Washington. This disease looks like it was spread by a spelunker.

(Information from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife can be obtained here)

(image source = http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/health/wns/)

The bat, in North Bend, died of an advanced stage of the fungal infection (Pseudogymnoascus destructans) and based on genetic testing, the bat was confirmed to be local. To the American and Canadian bat community, this fungus is deadly, and it can kill up 90-100% of a bat colony.

Although there has been only one sighting of a bat with WNS in Washington, it is likely that it came from an infected colony. So far, I have not heard from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, if they have found this colony.

Last year in Tennessee, 75 bats were cured of WNS and released into the Mark Twain Cave. Apparently, a bacterium (Rhodococcus rhodochrous), which grows and helps regulate the ripening of bananas produces a volatile fungicide. (GO BACTERIA!!! I know our bacterium friends can either kill us or save us)

Looking at all of this, there is a sense of frustration and annoyance at the lack of leadership in this disaster. I know, from attending the meetings, that the Cascade Grotto is a weak organization. It has useful information on secret caves and historical bat roosting sites, but it lacks social resources to streamline practices of the spelunking community. I think that the Cascade Grotto needs to hold a special meeting to discuss this disaster, and that we need to establish firm policies on what is safe caving practices in the region. I also think that the Grotto, (or even myself in the grotto) needs to hold hands-on educational workshop on decontaminating gear, to make sure that everyone knows how to do it properly.

As far as the Washington Dept of Fish and Wildlife goes, I think they need to open up volunteer opportunities for people who want to help. Time is valuable here and free labor should be used.

The next meeting for the Cascade Grotto is June 17th, and I'll try to remember the date, so I can investigate the Grotto policies. Until then, I'll just ask around.....  Morally, I can't go caving unless I know that my whole caving party is not spreading spores. ..which sucks!!   This is part of the fun that I missed out on !!

Expect new blog entries soon, I have a date with Sam tonight. Oh la la...