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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (AP) — The Bureau of Land Management will continue to allow public access to caves it manages in Colorado, but the agency could close them if a fungal disease fatal to bats is detected within 100 miles of them.
The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel reports (http://bit.ly/1AsJHuW ) the strategy is aimed at dealing with white-nose syndrome, which has killed nearly 6 million bats in northeastern and mid-Atlantic states over the last six years. The fungus typically is found on bats' muzzles and is thought to kill them by waking them during hibernation, leaving them in a weakened state.
No infected bats have been found in Colorado, but agencies are trying to prevent or minimize the possible spread of the fungus by humans visiting caves.
The BLM's decision took effect Aug. 29 and is subject to a 30-day appeal period.
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Information from: The Daily Sentinel, http://www.gjsentinel.com
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