An Exploratory Study to Understand Visitor Perceptions of White Nose Syndrome and Bat Colony Management at Carter Caves in Northeast Kentucky

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2021

Department

Agriculture & Tourism

Abstract

Cave tourism is a popular activity and provides unique educational opportunities for visitors to caves across the United States. The flow of tourists in and out of caves creates a unique challenge in mitigating the spread of a deadly fungal pathogen called White Nose Syndrome (WNS). Cave tourism in Kentucky is a popular activity throughout the state. To continue offering caves as tourim destinations, proper cave and bat population management is needed to mitigate the spread of WNS. Studying visitor opinions and preferences provides information to optimize cave management education and interpretation. This exploratory study offers an initial step to understanding Kentucky’s cave visitors and offers suggestions for better on-site education efforts.

First Page

23

Last Page

30

Publication Title

Kentucky SHAPE Journal

Publisher

Kentucky Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation & Dance

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