Two years later, in 1990, the status of the cavefish was reassessed and upgraded to endangered, which was then again confirmed by a reassessment in 1994. In 1996, the Alabama cavefish was again upgraded to critically endangered due to their lack of extent (100 sq. km), low population size, and numerous habitat challenges. The species was last assessed in April of 2012, and although its population trend is stable, it is still listed as critically endangered. There are a few current conservation measures put in place to protect the Alabama cavefish. Along with being listed under the ESA, the species is protected by the Lacey Act. This makes it unlawful to import, export, transport, sell, receive, acquire, or purchase (alive or dead including parts, products, eggs, or offspring) the Alabama cavefish. Secondly, The Tennessee Valley Authority, which owns the two entrances to the caves, has installed a fence to limit human disturbance. Lastly, in 1997, the Key Cave National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) was established. The Key Cave NWR aims at ensuring the biological integrity of the cave by protecting the sinkholes that carry surface water directly into the aquifer of the cave. The largest human-induced threat to the survival of the Alabama cavefish is groundwater contamination within the recharge area of Key Cave. The recharge area is the place where water seeps into the ground and refills the aquifer. A major source of contamination is the chemicals used to cultivate crops grown in the areas surrounding the cave. Furthermore, the collection of the species by amateurs or for scientific purposes poses such a major threat due to the already small population size. Many factors that are likely to cause the extinction of the Alabama cavefish are associated with the recharge zone of the Key Cave. The degradation of the groundwater due to agrochemicals and the decreasing level of groundwater limit the entry and cycling of uncontaminated water into Key Cave. The alteration of flood cycles within the aquifer often leads to unsuccessful cavefish reproduction. Furthermore, the Gray bat, "Myotis grisescens", which is also protected under the ESA, provides nutrients to the Alabama cavefish through their guano. Therefore, the threats facing this bat species also impact the Alabama cavefish and their fuel source. All these factors combined with the already small population size and limited home range pose massive threats to the Alabama cavefish.