texascavers Digest 17 Nov 2011 16:53:39 -0000 Issue 1437
Topics (messages 19078 through 19080):
Bat Ear Flexibility
19078 by: Mark Minton
Government Canyon Karst Project
19079 by: Marvin and Lisa
Devetashka Cave bats threatened
19080 by: Lee H. Skinner
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--- Begin Message ---
Bats can change the shape of their ears to accommodate
different acoustical
requirements:
<https://www.eng.vt.edu/news/bats-show-ability-change-their-ear-shapes-making-their-hearing-more-flexible>.
Mark Minton
Please reply to [email protected]
Permanent email address is [email protected]
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The next Government Canyon project date is December 3rd and 4th. There are
lots of things to work on. The deepest cave in the park has several blowing
leads at the bottom. They need just a little work or a real skinny person.
Also lots of ridgewalking and surface sinks to check. Directions are below.
Camping is available but contact me to set it up.
We meet at 9:00 both mornings in the parking lot of the Volunteer/Research
Station.
Directions to the Government Canyon Karst Project:
Find the intersection of U.S. 16 and Loop 1604 in northwest Bexar County
(clearly shown on any state highway map). Drive 2 miles north on U.S. 16 to
the third traffic light and turn left onto FM 1560 (there is a Shell station
on the corner). Follow 1560 for 3 miles till you see the sign for GCSNA.
Follow the arrow to the right and drive 2 more miles to the sharp left turn
in the road. The gate to GCSNA is straight ahead. Enter at the gate and then
take the first right. There is an unlocked gate that will need to be opened
and then closed behind you. Continue to the Volunteer/Research Station,
where we will meet.
Marvin Miller
--- End Message ---
--- Begin Message ---
The preparation for the shooting of "The Expendables 2" has had a
serious impact on the colony of protected species and bats that live in
the Devetashka cave near Lovech, according to experts from Bulgaria's
National Natural History Museum.
Last week environmentalists protested that the shooting of the action
movie could have fatal consequences for the bats inhabiting the cave.
The Devetashka Cave is considered to be among the three most important
natural habitats of bats in Europe, with hibernating bat colonies
reaching 60 000 bats of 11 species.
Two of the 11 species living in the Devetashka Cave are on the Red List
of Threatened Species.
According to biologists, the noise on the shooting site has disturbed
the slumber of bats and has forced them to go deeper into the cave.
A check showed that bats had been chased out of the semi-dark part of
the cave and had moved further inside near the lakes.
Experts have warned that bats are currently at their most vulnerable and
can be easily woken up, which could have fatal consequences.
Environmental activists have insisted that the prosecution investigate
the legality of shooting on the location.
On Tuesday, the Regional Environmental Inspectorate in the Northern
Bulgarian town of Pleven issued a statement of offense to
Bulgarian-based NU Boyana Film Studios for cutting down the vegetation
surrounding the nearby Devetashka cave.
Under Bulgarian legislation in the sphere, NU Boyana Film Studios faces
a fine of BGN 500 to BGN 5 000.
The region was inspected after a signal was filed by the local Green
Balkans NGO.
--- End Message ---
