Mercury Bats of Mammoth Cave

Research scientists who have performed studies at Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave National Park have confirmed high levels of mercury in park bats. The endangered Indiana bat is now among the species which have dangerously-elevated mercury levels.

Experts from the park and Western Kentucky University conducted the research, which was intended to measure the amount of the poisonous metal in park wildlife, including bats that inhabit Mammoth Cave.

Their work is now also shedding light on how pollutants, such as mercury, become concentrated in and saturate our natural environment.