Published: December 05, 2007 09:52 pm

Bounty offered for info leading to bat killers

OLIVE HILL — With thousands of dollars in reward money and nationwide interest in the case, naturalists, caving enthusiasts, bat lovers and others are determined to find those responsible for the recent murder of more than 100 federally endangered Indiana bats at Carter Caves State Resort Park.

Several wildlife organizations, environmental consultants and people who enjoy exploring caves have pooled their money to offer a $4,700 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction for those responsible for the smashing and drowning Indiana bats at a cave in the Carter County park during October.

Vandals smashed the bats with rocks and knocked several into a stream to drown on two occasions while the animals were in a hibernating cluster the park near Olive Hill. Investigators believe the first incident occurred between Oct. 21 and 24. Officials discovered the second incident Oct. 27, and believe the bat killings may have occurred the previous night.

Lisa Pruitt-Thorner of Catlettsburg, a member of the local chapter of the Eastern States Speleological Organization, said that group pitched in to help generate a reward in connection with the bat deaths at Carter Caves. An ardent admirer of bats, Pruitt-Thorner said the animals are both beautiful and beneficial.

“Bats are not flying rodents. They are mammals and they are one of the most beneficial mammals to mankind,” she said, explaining the role of bats in controlling insect populations including mosquitoes. “Bats are really important to human beings. I have been around bats in every season and in maternal colonies. I’ve never know anyone being harmed by a bat.”

Pruitt-Thorner said “myth and lore” about bats, combined with their nocturnal instincts, have resulted in many misunderstandings about the extremely diverse species.

“They are really wonderful animals. I adore them. They are innocent and there’s no one to protect them but us,” she said, explaining bats give birth to only one or two offspring at a time. “They are amazing in the care of their babies, like a person. I think they are gorgeous.”

Ohio naturalist Bob Glotzhober said, “Bats are a fascinating and beneficial part of our natural heritage. They are amazing creatures that are a joy and a thrill to watch as they twist, flip and swoop through the night air chasing insects with an almost unbelievable grace. The loss of significant numbers of a rare species lessens the rich natural world around us and therefore lessens our own experience.

“Personally, in addition to mourning the needless and senseless loss of wonderful and fascinating creatures, I am concerned about the mindset and psychology that motivates someone to perform such a destructive act. Wantonly killing harmless wildlife may be a symptom of deeper internal conflicts or loss of respect. One worries that it might be only a step away from taking a similar attitude of disrespect for human life.”

Traci Hemberger, endangered species biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, noted a $500 reward offered in a similar 1987 case led to the convictions of four men.

“We're hoping that this reward will lead to a breakthrough in the Carter Caves case,” she said.

Hemberger said a number of organizations, starting with Bat Conservation International, began raising money for the reward after word spread about the bat killings.

“There's been an outpouring of support from the bat and caving communities,” she said. “It is inspiring to see everyone banding together.”

Jim Kennedy, cave resources specialist for Bat Conservation International, said cases of bat killings such as the Carter Caves incident are rare.

“We definitely would like to resolve this problem, and we also want to draw attention to the bigger need for bat protection,” he said.

Kennedy said there are fewer than half a million Indiana bats known to exist in the world. Approximately 62,000 of the bats reside in Kentucky.

Members of the Dayton (Ohio) Underground Grotto and Eastern States Speleological Organization have also contributed toward the reward.

“We are a group of responsible cavers and conservation-minded individuals, so when we hear about cases such as this, it makes us very upset,” said Andy Niekamp, a member of both groups. “We want to do our part to help catch whoever did this.”

Other contributors to the reward fund include the Southeastern Bat Diversity Network, Defenders of Wildlife, Eco-Tech Consultants Inc., Apogee Environmental Consultants LLC, Copperhead Environmental Consulting Inc. and the Indiana State Center for North American Bat Research and Conservation.

Indiana bats first received protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1966. Until recently, their numbers have decreased steadily. The caves at the Carter Caves park harbor the largest hibernating population of Indiana bats in Kentucky.

“Everybody is disgusted with the killings,” Hemberger said. “It's hard to believe someone would do something like this.”

Violations of the Endangered Species Act can result in a maximum penalty of a $100,000 fine and a year in prison. Anyone with information about the bat deaths should contact Special Agent Bob Snow of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (502) 582-5989, Ext. 29.

TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS contributed to this report.