State asks residents not to explore caves
A fungus called White-Nose Syndrome has killed 90 percent of the bats in New York state since 2007. In an effort to protect remaining populations of the important pollinator, the Department of Environmental Conservation is asking residents not to explore caves or mines where bats may be hibernating through April 30.
If you enter an area where bats are hibernating, leave immediately. Putnam Valley and Southeast have confirmed hibernation sites for a threatened species, the northern long-eared bat, and entering them can lead to prosecution. See dec.ny.gov/animals.
