Unfortunately, WNS is a primary reason why conventions shouldn't be
held in the West, specifically in New Mexico at this time or anytime
in the near future. It seems bad enough to go back east and have to
decontaminate before caving again here. How about worrying about
hundreds of cavers, all at once, out here? Think about it before the
presentation is offered in Vermont for a New Mexico convention.
All it will take are acts of carelessness of unwashed gear in
the right place at the right time. This also includes clothing, hair,
and the dirt impregnated in your boots, gloves, helmet AND light, as
well as ANYTHING that that gear has touched before being washed,
including the plastic tote you threw it in, which also must be
decontaminated before you put the clean stuff back in. This also
includes the film of dirt in the carpet in your vehicle where you
thew the tote and it has now touched. The vehicle must also be
decontaminated where the dirty tote is placed, or the spores will get
on the tote, which gets on the clean gear, etc. Multiply this by
hundreds of cavers, not all supervised or versed as to sterile or
decontamination techniques. It's not just about washing your
hands..... My understanding is that if the fungus is spread by
spores, washing with soap and water is the only way to get rid of
them. Germicides don't always work, or work as well. That's why the
organism forms spores, for survival. Cavers may not be the root cause
of the spread of WNS, but they COULD BE AN ACCELERANT of it. IS IT
WORTH THE RISK?
Is a convention here in New Mexico a good idea right now?
Perhaps not. It would be for the best possible and UNSELFISH of all
reasons: the limiting of the spread of WNS, if the convention bid
were withdrawn at present.
Think about this hard folks. Think about it at the regional for
orderly discussion as to the bid. Think about what Mr. Lyles wrote
below. There is a stinging truth to it.
(Yes, I tried, but could not avoid contracting Curmudgeon's
disease. Probably got it from Belski).
See you in a few weeks.
Carl Pagano
On May 17, 2010, at 9:42 PM, John Lyles wrote:
Be prepared! Learn a new pastime besides caving: something on the
surface, boating, knitting, skiing, hiking, backpacking, ham radio,
writing, traveling, cooking, drinking. Just think, you'll be able
to save up vacation while working again! WNS will get here, bats
aren't going to stop at state borders. Meanwhile, as my old grotto
Commander Cody Caving Club sez, "Cave 'til you Puke"!
jtml
Cavers can continue to help by continuing to decon between caving
regions and especially known bat caves,
not disturbing hibernating bats, and reporting any unusual bats to
their local FWS.
In general, bats out west are even less studied than bats out
east. If you know of a significant
hibernaculum, make sure it is protected (tell your friends not to
go there in winter), and monitored.
We are more spread out here out west, so knowledge of hibernating
bats may not be as well communicated.
keep your hopes up, Jennifer
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