Cave biologist shares love of job

[Wayne Harrison]

Kris Hilgedick
Jefferson City News-Tribune

Kelley M - News-Tribune
<img src="http://cmsimg.news-leader.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DO&Date=20070819&Category=NEWS07&ArtNo=708190355&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&MaxH=400&Border=0" align="left">Jefferson City — Crouching with his knees buried in wet gravel, Bill Elliott peered through the gloom of Hunter's Cave. His headlamp illuminated several shallow pools as he hunched over the underground streambed.
"It's probably a golden crawfish," he noted, gently pinching the small critter between his thumb and forefinger.

The caving expedition was a small affair by Elliott's standards, but he still relished telling a small group of young scientists, journalists and conservation workers about wildlife that dwells in the dark.

A born teacher, Elliott is an unquenchable fountain of facts and anecdotes about speleology, his profession of choice.

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