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Caves Closing to Prevent Fungus-Killing Bats
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) -- Illinois is closing state-managed caves to visitors while trying to stop the spread of a mysterious fungus that is killing bats.

Among caves no longer open to people is the Illinois Caverns site in Monroe County in southwestern Illinois. Caves at five other sites managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources are also closed until further notice.

The disease is known as "White Nose Syndrome" and has killed hundreds of thousands of hibernating bats in the northeastern U.S. It's recently been detected in Missouri.

Latest research indicates the fungus could be carried into caves on the boots and gear of cavers.

Officials are encouraging local governments and private landowners who have caves on their property to close them to human visitors.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
04 27 10 by Newsroom
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