Missouri State Parks will offer public access to the state park system’s four major tour caves while continuing its efforts to reduce the risk of spreading white-nose syndrome, a fungus that affects bats but not humans.
“The protection of caves and cave resources remains a priority for Missouri State Parks and we continue the strategies we implemented to reduce the risk of spreading the fungus. We believe we can balance the protection of the resources while allowing visitors the unique experience of touring a cave,” said Bill Bryan, director of Missouri State Parks, a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
For the 2012 season, Onondaga Cave and Cathedral caves at Onondaga Cave State Park, Fisher Cave at Meramec State Park, and Ozark Caverns at Lake of the Ozarks State Park will be open for public tours. The seasons were adjusted to avoid periods during fall and spring when bats are preparing for or leaving hibernation. To help prevent the risk of human transmission of the fungus from cave to cave, screening measures will remain in place. Visitors who tour the caves are asked to not wear the same clothing, footwear, accessories or equipment that has been in any other cave. These measures are similar to those implemented in the two years. Other screening measures may be implemented.
“Education is an important aspect of the overall effort to manage white-nose syndrome and education is also a part of the state park system mission. Allowing public access to these caves provides us the opportunity to educate the public about the importance of caves and their resources, including bats,” Bryan said.
The director added that state park staff will emphasize this educational message during all of their tours, displays and presentations. “The more people learn about caves and bats, the more they will understand how important it is to protect them,” he said.
In this effort to balance education and protection, most but not all wild caves in state parks that are used by bats will remain temporarily closed to reduce the risk of spreading white-nose syndrome. Specific exceptions will be made for educational tours and low-risk groups in specific caves. The accessible caves include shorter caves, those that do not have bats, and those caves that have exceptional educational value for schools.
The schedule for the four tour caves this season follows:
- Onondaga Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park - open for local school groups and the general public April 15;
- Cathedral Cave at Onondaga Cave State Park - open to local school groups on April 15 and May 15 to the general public;
- Fisher Cave at Meramec State Park - open to local school groups on April 15 and May 15 to the general public; and
- Ozark Caverns at Lake of the Ozarks State Park - open to local school groups on April 15 and May 15 to the general public.
For more information about public cave tours, visit mostateparks.com/activity/cave-tours. To find out which other caves can be accessed, contact the individual park where you would like to visit a cave.
State park staff will continue to work with other state and federal resource agencies, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation, on ways to manage white-nose syndrome, particularly in Missouri state park caves.
Missouri has more than 6,300 caves. Bryan emphasized that the agency policy concerning the 183 caves in 18 state parks and historic sites does not apply to other caves in Missouri. Most if not all commercial cave tour operations remain open for business. For information on privately owned caves or those operated by other agencies in Missouri, contact the agency or private business or landowner that owns the cave. Information on other caves can be found at mocaves.com.