Endangered Species

Mammoth Cave has eighteen species that are listed on the federal endangered species list. Fourteen of them are freshwater mussels in the Green River (11 endangered and three threatened species). They are mostly listed due to water quality issues and changes in the flow of the river. Three of the species are bats (all endangered). One of the bats has been listed as endangered since 1973 another was just listed as endangered in 2023. The last species is the Kentucky Cave shrimp (endangered). It is rare and found only in the lowest level of the caves in this immediate area. The National Park Service in partnership with other federal and state agencies, works to improve habitat for these species to thrive. Explore some of the ongoing research and conservation efforts to protect these threatened and endangered species below. These are the species on the federal endangered species list.