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A dead bat found near a popular visitor destination in Yosemite National Park tested positive for rabies, but the National Park Service didn’t alert the public until more than three months after the discovery. The delay in issuing the alert has raised concerns, including online from visitors asking park officials why they took so long in telling the public. The agency stated there had been no reported human contact with the animal, collected as part of routine wildlife disease surveillance.
Testing protocols depend on circumstances, and bats found in occupied buildings are tested expeditedly. The bat was found outside Curry Village’s shower house on May 18 and tested positive. Officials advised anyone who may have had direct contact to contact the California Department of Health promptly.
Rabies is fatal but preventable with prompt medical care. Less than 1% of bats in nature are infected with rabies, and bats are responsible for most rabies-related deaths in the U.S. The previous positive case in Yosemite was in July 2025.
Other national parks issued alerts faster, with Wind Cave notifying within 42 days and Jewel Cave releasing a statement two weeks later. In Washington, officials notified the public three days after a bat was found in a woman’s hair.
Source: Los Angeles Times
