On February 10, 2013 the National Parks Service released a statement reporting the presence of White Nose Syndrome in the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park located in Virginia. Park superintendent, Mark Woods reported that histopathology tests were performed 3 deceased bats that were found in 3 of the 30 different caves found in the park. While all three bats tested positive for White Nose Syndrome, two actually showed visible signs of the fungus growing on their bodies.
As a precaution, the Cumberland Gap Park had implemented decontamination protocols within the park 3 years ago in an attempt to delay the onset of white nose syndrome. In an effort to slow the onset of WNS, visitors to the Cumberland Gap were interviewed before going on cave tours to ensure that they were not bringing items into the caves that had been in other caves or mines since 2006. Individuals were also asked to leave unnecessary items outside of the cave and decontaminate their footwear before entering caves. Researchers and employees of the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park followed current national guidance protocols for decontamination before and after their visit to the caves.
With the discovery of WNS at Cumberland Gap NHP, the disease has now been
observed in all the major mountain drainage's of the state. Virginia’s focus is now on
determining the impacts of WNS on the different cave bat species and determining if individuals
can persist over time in the face of infection. Six species of cave-dwelling bats, including the endangered Indiana bat, are found at Cumberland Gap NHP. All six species are at risk from WNS. Three species of tree-dwelling bats are also found in the park. Some bats spend both the summer and winter at Cumberland Gap. However, other bats are much more mobile, wintering at the park but spending the summer in other areas or vice-versa. Bats play a crucial role in the environment. Bats are the only major predator of night-flying insects.
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