Weaver, AL –The Georgia-Alabama Land Trust organized a unique event on Friday, August 4. Wildlife Biologist Jonathan Stober with the Talladega National Forest Shoal Creek Ranger District, led a small group of people for an educational journey through bats that inhabit Weaver Cave. Stober spoke about the nature of the bats, their stories of survival, and the way they utilize Weaver Cave. The participants were taken towards the entrance of Weaver Cave and watched as bats flitted out of the cave to make their nighttime excursion. Weaver Cave houses over 12,000 gray bats during the summer, and more than 600 tricolored bats during winter. Gray bats are an endangered species as is the bat with tricolors, which are being studied to ensure its protection.
This is the third Wing Night the Georgia-Alabama Land trust has hosted. Mr. Stober opened the event by describing why bats are extraordinary and why Weaver Cave is gated. He also stated that it’s quite amazing how it’s possible to be accomplished today using modern technology that allows transmitters to be placed on various objects and tracking them across the globe. He spoke of White Nose Syndrome that was first discovered when “Somebody removed their boots in an underground cave in New York in 2006.” It’s among the numerous diseases that are affecting the wildlife community. White nose syndrome is a particular one. is a fungus which came from Europe and has spread across the eastern region and is now moving to the west. It’s being carried by humans and also bats throughout the entire continent. Bat populations of millions are which are declining as cave nesting bats.
Weaver Cave has four different bat species, but the most common is the grey bats, which are threatened. Gray bats were declared endangered in 1976. Their numbers were essentially being destroyed or diminished due to cave activities. Gray bats have rediscovered some due to the fact that they’re larger than other bats and are more physiologically prepared so that they are able to handle the white nose syndrome caused by fungus. Another reason why their numbers have risen is due to efforts to maintain their habitats.Weaver Cave was not home to that large a number of gray bats before the trust acquired the cave and secured it in order to manage the human aspect of disturbances. Many have been dissatisfied with the limited access, but the goal is to protect the bat species which live in the cave.
After the lecture, the participants went into the open area to the open Weave Cave. Although the bats’ emergence didn’t occur in a single moment, it was definitely worth the waiting. The first time it was a gradual trickle followed by hundreds of bats flying out. To view videos and pictures, scroll down. First video captures a slow motion flight, while the final video shows bats’ appearance in massive.
Caves are open to the public on certain dates. The next time for a tour of the caves is scheduled for October 14th. Even when the caves are closed there’s still a 3-tenths mile trail. The dates for the open gates day are September 1st, 2nd September 7th and 8th, October 7th and 9th 11th and 12th November and December 16th and 17th.
