September White-Nose Syndrome Press Release

September 23, 2009

Lincoln Caverns' Visitors Support White-Nose Syndrome Research WNS Close-up

Huntingdon, PA - September 23, 2009 -

          Something is killing our bats and Lincoln Caverns, near Huntingdon, PA, continues their commitment to educating visitors about the devastating disease known as White-Nose Syndrome and to raising funds for WNS research.
          The race is on throughout the eastern United States. From tagging bats with tiny transmitters to infrared flight analysis and blood testing of their immune systems, researchers are trying to solve one of the most devastating mysteries in the natural world: The huge and rapid die off of six species of eastern hibernating bats.
          Without our insect eating bats, crop damage and pesticide use will almost certainly increase. Although there is still much to learn about the disease and scientists have yet to determine how to control its spread, the public can help by contributing to Bat Conservation International's White-nose Syndrome Rapid Response Fund. BCI has awarded grants for critical WNS research at Boston, Bucknell, Cornell, Indiana State and Missouri State universities, plus the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.

Lincoln Caverns, near Huntingdon, has been engaged in bat education since 1991, hosting thousands of Scouts and school students from Pennsylvania and surrounding states. Although no bat colony uses Lincoln Caverns as a roost, there are single bats who are regular winter visitors, hibernating in the same locations within the caverns each year. Looking for a way to helps the bats in peril, Lincoln Caverns started a fund in June of this year enabling visitors to add a small contribution towards WNS research onto their ticket purchase.
Due to the generosity of their visitors, Lincoln Caverns was able to donate $581.04 during the month of June, July's contribution was $1002.89, and August's 426.37. Efforts will continue throughout the fall season with several very special projects in support of White Nose Syndrome Research. Lincoln Caverns and Domino's pizza of Huntingdon annually sponsor a Festive Fall coloring contest in area elementary schools. This year students in grades 3 - 6 are asked to color a picture of a bat and tape a dime to each of the bat's ten fingers, for a donation of $1.00 to WNS research. Two winners will be chosen at random from each school. The winners will be hosted at Lincoln Caverns for a special Ghosts & Goblins tour, pizza lunch, and panning for gems in October.

On October 23rd, Lincoln Caverns will host area residents for Hauntingdon Night. A portion of each Ghosts and Goblins 2009 ticket sold on the 23rd will be donated to WNS research. Visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Robyn Gabinski, a wildlife rehabilitator, and her pet big brown bats. Children ages 12 and under are invited to make a bat craft out of recycled soda cans to take home.

The following day some very special guests will visit Lincoln Caverns. Ten year old Taylor, of State College, PA, recently held her 10th birthday. At her party, rather than receive gifts from her friends, she asked the money be donated to WNS research. She was given a total of $302.45 at her party! Taylor will present the money to Lincoln Caverns during a special Halloween party and tour for she and her friends on October 24. Thank you Taylor and congratulations on a job well done!

Those interested in saving our bats are encouraged to visit Bat Conservation International's website, www.batcon.org . There is also up to date information available on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website at www.fws.gov/northeast/ and the Pennsylvania Game Commission website at www.pgc.state.pa.us Lincoln Caverns also invites all those interested in learning more to stop by and view their WNS informational display. Lincoln Caverns is located 3 miles west of Huntingdon, PA on U.S. Route 22 (William Penn Highway).

Credit: Photo courtesy Ryan von Linden/New York Department of Environmental Resources

What can you do to help?
Encourage your state and federal legislators to allocate funding towards the effort to understand and fight White-nose Syndrome.

Report unusual late-winter bat behavior (bats flying during the daytime, for example) or unexplained bat deaths to your state wildlife agency.

Adhere to state, federal and local cave advisories help prevent the transmission of WNS.

Educate your friends and families about the benefits of bats and the White-nose Syndrome crisis.

Donate to BCI's WNS Rapid Response Fund.