Current Update as of 1/5/98

From: crcaver@disknet.com
Date: Fri, 19 Dec 1997 10:52:12 -0500
Subject: Langdon's
To: cavers@mars.ditell.com

To all of you who sent letters to the prosecutor, THANKS so much. I
understand that most if not all letters sent to him were sent back to
the senders by the post office. He has a new address. If you want to
send a letter of praise or encouragement for his office's role in the
case, here is his new address:

Ron Simpson
Harrison County Prosecutor
1445 Gardner Ln NW
Corydon, In 47112

I'm terribly sorry to get the address wrong. If you do send a letter,
please let it be a letter of thanks.

Aaron
DISK Net, Inc. Visit us at WWW.DISKNET.COM

Emergency Alert!

Posted 12-01-97.

Take Action

Submitted by crcaver@disknet.com

Hello all.

This is a narrative of what happened last Saturday (November 29, 1997) in Indiana.

After a game of scrabble in the terminal room in the end of Langdon's Cave, myself and Julie Bradshaw (non-caver) decided to head out as it was getting late. (12:15 am) We were heading out of the room when we encountered a boy around 17 years of age. We talked to him for a bit and noticed that he was not wearing any head protection and had only a 5-cell Mag-Light for a light source. He bragged that people in his group had caught and stomped bats and we then headed for the entrance. He was in front of us and we saw him again at the climb-down where the 40' tall walking canyon passage begins. Promptly some more of his group arrived including: a young girl around 12 years of age, and young boy around 10, and a tall stocky boy around 16. The 16 year-old was bragging that he had just "stomped a bat" and that they had a jacket with a bat in it.

Although very angry, I patiently and politely informed them that bats are beneficial animals and that contrary to popular belief, less than 2% carry rabies. The 10 year-old boy then, in a smart-ass manner asked "are you bat expert or something?". I then realized that when my politeness was returned with disrespect...we had a problem.

Then arrived the last 2 "gentleman" in the group. They were in their late 30's or early 40's and were endorsing the fact that the bats were okay to kill. I told one of the guys that the bats were federally protected and he smiled and nodded in a manner that told me that if he knew...he didn't care or wouldn't oblige. Still at this point everyone was polite except for the 10 year-old. One of the older men asked me if I knew where any more local caves were. I replied " yeah...there's a bunch out there...here and there...might be some out there". They were obviously impressed with our helmets and the tight coil of PMI draped over my head and wanted to know where more caves were.

I then told the men that the DNR is considering a cave permit system that could close the caves on state property to people without proper gear such as helmets, 3 sources of light, and such. He then replied "...yeah I thought they might close the cave after the body was found here. If there was a sign closing the cave I'd tear it down!" He thought that I would agree with his vandalistic ignorant attitude. I didn't say anything except "remember...the bats are protected by federal laws".

At this point I thought it wise to leave before my emotions got out of control. I never displayed any anger while I told any of them of anything. We encountered their flannel jacket hanging on a projectile and I noticed one of the pockets moving. I unbuttoned it and a brown bat emerged and flew away. I then found another brown bat on a rock convulsing. He had obviously been struck with much force. I gently touched him and he screamed with pain...it was not a chirp...it was a painful scream. I then remembered the bat hanging on the wall where I last saw them and that the girl had her eye on it. I knew that although I warned them of the consequences, it would be next.

We exited the cave and called the Harrison-County Sheriff's Department at the pool pay phone at Wyandotte Woods. They said that although there were no conservation officers on duty, they would check it out. We arrived at my house 15 minutes away and Julie went home. Within 20 minutes the phone rang. Conservation Officer Terry Allen was at the scene (!!!) and asked me to come and tell who did what. I was there in under 15 minutes and 2 deputies (Officers Marty McClanahan and Scott Evans) were there with shotguns. (one deputy later informed me that they were expecting more trouble...possibly drunk/doped people) ICO Allen was interviewing the subjects and they repeatably lied and said that they touched no bats. He asked me which one did it...I said that it was the tall goofy boy. He then asked if I could produce the harmed bat.

I tried to locate the convulsing bat but it was gone. I assumed that it fell from the rock and crawled into one of the many cracks nearby. I then remembered the last bat that was unharmed hanging from the wall. I found him wrapped up in a mudball on the floor. I exited the cave (difficult climbing carrying one bat in my glove!) and showed it to Allen. By now the goofy boy had admitted to stomping the bat. (all of them especially the men, lied and denied until now...what a family outing...huh?) Allen then told him that they were free to go and to empty his bag of rocks. Out rolled a stalagmite and several popcorn formations. I went FURIOUS. I angrily told them that what they selfishly destroyed took ages to form and could never come back.

Everyone left except for Allen and I. He took pictures of the brown bat for identification because he could not be sure if it was an Indiana Brown Bat protected by federal law. He then said that he would probably cite the boy for removing the formations.

We took the bat and the formations to the entrance and returned them. The case is still open and arrests and citations could be made.

Under Indiana law any person destroys or harasses any cave-dwelling animal for other than scientific purposes commits a Class A misdemeanor or, removes any formation from a cave commits a Class A misdemeanor.

I have talked with several cavers from the Harrison-Crawford Grotto and the IKC and the NSS and they want legal action to be taken immediately against these ignorant and careless vandals. The media has been contacted and the outcome of the case, all involved, and all details will be published by local media. An example should be set now to prevent further destruction of the underground habitat.

UPDATE AS OF 11/30: Conservation officers are pursuing warrants and could only be hindered now by a lack of action on the prosecuting attorney.

What you Can Do!

Hello All.

Once again I am writing you to remember that not only are bats precious animals (and cave formations are irreplaceable), and not only that since these people were caught in Langdon's Cave by myself that they should be arrested and face prosecution, BUT to also remind you that YOU live in a democracy AND that it is your responsibility as a responsible, active, and right-thinking citizen to use your god-given 1st amendment right to freedom of speech to keep those public servants that WORK FOR we the people in check.

What I'm saying in a nutshell is: Never be afraid to speak up! We OWN this country as citizens and have a right to speak up! Our country was founded on such protest!

Therefore...don't be timid! IF you think that action should be taken against these individuals who were caught in possession of protected cave formations and also had admitted to killing bats, USE YOUR RIGHT to call the Harrison County Prosecutor (Ron Simpson) at (812) 738-4241 on Monday (12-1) (preferably first thing after 7:30 am), Tuesday, Wed, or Thursday. Their hours are 7:30am to 4pm and Wednesdays 7:30 to noon.

PLEASE if you believe in this, call them and tell them who you are, your occupation, your organizations affiliated with, and why they should act and prosecute these individuals. WE CAVERS NEED THIS PROSECUTION IN INDIANA TO SPREAD THE WORD THAT IT WILL NOT BE ACCEPTABLE TO DISRESPECT CAVES ANYMORE.

If you wish to write a letter address it to:

PLEASE PASS THIS INFORMATION ON TO PEOPLE WITHOUT E-MAIL. If you do not live in Indiana and receive this...remember that phone calls from other states would still have a huge impact on the outcome of the case.

Thanks for you support in ACTIVE CONSERVATION of caves.

Aaron Atz,  Leavenworth, In

812-739-2396

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