Cavechat.org

A lot of us have been upset about some of the news that comes out and the difficulty to get a positive message out. Merlin Tuttle has prepared a statement on WNS and posted it at http://www.merlintuttle.com/resources/white-nose-syndrome/. He also stated in an email "You are welcome to circulate and use it as you see fit. As one who deeply appreciates the many invaluable services cavers continue to provide on behalf of bat conservation, I am always happy to look out for their interests. Many thanks for your shared concern for bats!"

Jennifer,

Thank you so much for posting this terrific statement by Merlin Tuttle. Well know world-wide for his bat research and founding of Bat Conservation International, Merlin has been involved in the scientific response to WNS since its inception. He co-sponsored the first national WNS meetings and contributed greatly to understanding of the disease and its effect on bats for many years.

I had the supreme pleasure of testifying before Congress with Merlin, who predicted at that time that WNS would spread along bat migration routes exactly as it has.

It is time for caves to re-open, especially in the WNS saturated regions. Keeping them closed does more harm to cave conservation than keeping them closed, and does nothing anymore - if it ever did - to prevent the spread of the disease.

Bottom line - stay out of caves when bats are hibernating; don't use gear from WNS regions in areas where WNS has not arrived to prevent the off-chance of inadvertently spreading the disease.

Thank you, Merlin!