Spelunking and Cave Exploration

White Nose Syndrome - UPDATED 1/29/10

Adventure Links has suspended all of its caving programs for one year.  Recently, scientists have been conducting research on White Nose Syndrome (WNS), a fungus that has been causing the deaths of bat colonies in northeastern caves, including Virginia and West Virginia.  The US Fish and Wildlife Service, along with the national and state speleological societies, has asked for a voluntary moratorium on all recreational caving for one year.  During this time, officials hope to gain more of an understanding of what is causing the spread of this fungus.  There is no apparent threat to humans, although experts are considering the possibility that human activity is partially responsible for the spread of the fungus. 
           
Bats play an integral role in our ecosystem as pollinators and pest controllers.  As stewards of the environment, Adventure Links has decided to suspend its recreational caving programs until further research is done.

For further information on White Nose Syndrome, please visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service website:  http://www.fws.gov/northeast/white_nose.html

Please feel free to contact the Adventure Links office at (800) 877-0954 if you have any questions or comments regarding this matter.