The Indiana bat, which lives here in Tennessee, has lost 50-95% of its population over the the last 70 years. The main cause of this crash was human disturbance of the largest caves where they were nesting. These critters are now federally protected, but still face serious threats because of white nose fungus (a deadly disease) and disturbances and killings by humans. If you’re into spelunking, please avoid exploring wild caves during the months in which bats are hibernating. While Tennessee law forbids the rehabilitation of bats, it’s still a good idea to contact TWRA if you see an Indiana bat that is injured, sick, or in need of help, since this can help track the animals and identify local threats. We can help work together to save our endangered wildlife! 🦇
For Fox Sake Wildlife Rescue 