Keep Caves Closed to Save Our Bats

Dear Center Supporter, To protect hibernating bats from white-nose syndrome, the fast-moving fungal disease that has killed nearly 7 million bats in the eastern United States, the U.S. Forest Service has kept caves closed in the Rocky Mountain Region for two years to all but the most essential human access. Now, with the policy up for renewal, the Forest Service is considering weakening protections for bats, increasing the risk of cave visitors bringing the disease into the caves. Nationwide the loss of bats could mean exploding populations of insects no longer kept in check by these furry, fly-by-night mammals. Scientists have estimated that by keeping insect pests at bay and reducing the need for pesticides, bats are worth $22 billion annually to American farmers. In Colorado, these savings could reach $430 million per year; in South Dakota, $1.1 billion. While bats are dying at rates topping 90 percent in some areas, and some species could face extinction, the risk to western bats and farmers is too great to justify easing restrictions for discretionary cave uses like recreation. Please take action today to send a message to the Forest Service and express your support for maintaining the current, responsible management policy. Click here to find out more and take action. If you have trouble following the link, go to http://action.biologicaldiversity.org/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=10553. Please take action by August 1, 2012. Donate now to support our work. For more information, visit our Web page to Save Our Bats. Photo of Indiana and little brown bats covered in white-nose syndrome courtesy Flickr Commons/USFWS Northeast Region. This message was sent to ignoble.experiment@arconati.us. The Center for Biological Diversity sends out newsletters and action alerts through DemocracyinAction.org. Click here if you'd like to check your profile and preferences. Let us know if you'd like to stop receiving action alerts and newsletters from us. Center for Biological Diversity P.O. Box 710 Tucson, AZ 85702 1-866-357-3349