Missouri has had issues with this. 25 years ago caves on public lands were generally open to exploration. Today most are gated off to keep people out and minimize disturbance of bat populations - particularly when they're hibernating. If they wake/are seriously disturbed at that time, they're pretty much dead. I gather the white-nose impairs their metabolism and makes wakening during hibernation much more likely if disturbed.
Missouri has had issues with this. 25 years ago caves on public lands were generally open to exploration. Today most are gated off to keep people out and minimize disturbance of bat populations - particularly when they're hibernating. If they wake/are seriously disturbed at that time, they're pretty much dead. I gather the white-nose impairs their metabolism and makes wakening during hibernation much more likely if disturbed.