White-nose syndrome turns up in three Kentucky caves

HARDINSBURG, Ky. - A disease that has killed millions of bats in eastern North America has been found in three central Kentucky caves.

Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources says three common bat species tested positive for the fungus responsible for white-nose syndrome. The species are the Northern long-eared, tri-colored and little brown bats.

The caves are privately owned and not open to the public. The department says they are northeast of Hardinsburg in Breckinridge County.

Last winter, department biologists surveyed about 100 caves throughout Kentucky and confirmed the syndrome in a cave in Trigg County in southwestern Kentucky. That was the first documentation of the disease in the state.

White-nose syndrome is estimated to have killed 5.7 million to 6.7 million cave-dwelling bats in eastern North America.