Kentucky Department of Wildlife and Refuge is responsible for monitoring some of the most important Kentucky bat populations of endangered bat species and their Kentucky habitats in North America. Kentucky endangered species including the Kentucky Indiana bat, Gray bat and Kentucky Virginia Big-eared bat numbers which are monitored at regular intervals to determine Kentucky population fluctuations at historically significant hibernacula and maternity Kentucky cave sites. Monitoring Kentucky cave gating, fencing of Kentucky caves and caves entrance cleanup projects helps determine how Kentucky bats are responding to these management strategies.
Kentucky Department of Wildlife and Refuge investigates those Kentucky caves that were once important hibernacula or maternity sites to determine why Kentucky bats have abandoned them or why numbers have declined. Kentucky physical changes to Kentucky cave entrances and improperly installed Kentucky cave gates to stop people from entering create climatic changes in the caves causing the loss of cool air and moisture and making Kentucky caves inaccessible to bats. Kentucky human disturbance also plays a major factor in causing declines. By installing “bat-friendly” Kentucky cave gates or fences to restrict access, by installing air dams in caves or at entrances to restrict airflow all have helped to restore Kentucky cave climates making the caves bat friendly.