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Yes, it is, but...that's how responsible cavers and trustees have to react to the vandalism that takes place in these natural wonders.trogva says:
It's always sad to see a beautiful cave entrance destroyed. I hope it's worth it.
Walt Pirie
Ernie Coffman wrote:What a shame to have to resort to this, but...when vandalism continues, it's the best cavers can do. I wonder how long before some idiot(s) will break into this beautiful gate, though.It seems that the gate is put there, only to keep honest people out.
NICKSCAVE wrote:Wow, Ernie hit the nail on the head. vandals will always find a way to destroy things when they see fit. I remember a time when caving was about caving rather then bull$&*# access policies. Now it seems to be all about speleopolitics. once again, as Ernie said, all this does is keep out card carring, due paying cavers.
tncaver wrote:Thanks for all the knowledgeable replies. Now we know the real reason for the Trout Cave gate (I hope) and that there is an
access policy. The access policy seems pretty reasonable to me. However, I do have this one question about the gate.
Was it not possible to put the gate farther into the cave so that it would not ruin the beauty of the natural entrance? I have
never been to Trout Cave so I don't know this, but are there any smaller passages a short way into the cave that could
have been gated instead of the entrance, or better yet, put the gate up only on the passage that leads to the bats? Please,
those in the know, educate the rest of us with your knowledge of why a large gate was built in sight rather than a small gate
built farther back and out of sight? That cave entrance looks big enough to drive a truck into. At least a short ways into the
cave where a smaller gate could have been built out of sight. Inquiring minds (fellow NSS member minds) want to know.
Trout Cave is privately owned by the National Speleological Society (NSS). The cave is heavily used by recreational cavers, including large scout and school groups. Historic accounts suggest that Trout Cave once supported up to 1,000 Indiana bats. However, previous disturbances to the cave reduced populations to around 10-20 bats. Since the cave was purchased by the NSS, hibernating populations of the Indiana bat within the cave have increased to 158 bats, and it is now the fourth largest hibernacula in the State. Although the Indiana bats now occupy a small side passage, historically these bats hibernated in the main passage of the cave where temperatures are more suitable for this species. The Virginia big-eared bat also uses the cave during the fall swarming period. Disturbances in caves have been identified as a primary threat to recovery of these two endangered species.
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