Recreational cave exploration disturbs hibernating bats, disrupts breeding colonies, and spreads white-nose syndrome, with significant welfare and conservation consequences.
Cave tourism and spelunking present direct welfare threats to bat populations that few participants recognize. A bat woken from hibernation may survive the disturbance only to die weeks later from starvation as fat reserves run out. The spread of white-nose syndrome via contaminated caving gear has caused bat population declines comparable to some of the worst wildlife disease events on record. Responsible caving requires treating bat habitats as protected spaces during critical periods.