The University of New Mexico & The Office of Animal Care and Compliance

1. The University of New Mexico& The Office of Animal Care and Compliance present What’s Your Critter? Bats A learning module developed by OACC

2. Introduction • This module was developed to prepare you for safety issues involved in doing field research with Bats

3. General Background • Bats can be found in almost every part of the world except where it is very, very hot or in the really cold areas and on some remote islands.  They live on all continents except Antarctica. • In the United States, the greatest number of bat species live in the southwestern part of the country. • In North America, bats are among the most endangered or threatened small mammal

4. The following pertain to ALL BAT FIELD RESEARCH • Injuries and Sickness – What are the dangers in working with bats? • Habitat – What kind of climate or environment will I be exposed to? • Protective Equipment – How do I handle bats?

5. Injuries and Sickness • Bats can carry RABIES • All bats should be handled with leather gloves • When a bat is rabid it may not show symptoms that are normally associated with rabies. • It may not foam at the mouth like a dog would. • It may not attack and or act deranged. • It could be either on the ground, clinging to a wall, or on another surface and quiet. • It may be active during daylight

6. Injuries and Sickness • In addition to the disease potential, is the bite itself • Injuries in the field should be treated IMMEDIATELY • All field trips should include an appropriate First-Aid Kit – available from EOHS • Preferably, persons should report to EOHS for treatment – follow-up care would then be covered under workmen’s compensation • Incident reports should be filed with EOHS as soon as possible • Emergencies are ALWAYS the exception to the rule

7. Injuries and SicknessCaves: • Many bats dwell in caves or mines • There is a concern for histoplasmosis when working in caves • Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus (Histoplasma capsulatum) and is transmitted to humans by airborne fungus spores from soil contaminated by droppings of bats • Most infections are mild and produce either no symptoms or a minor influenza- like illness. On occasion, the disease can cause high fever, blood abnormalities, pneumonia, and even death. • Gases, such as ammonia, carbon dioxide, and methane, can accumilate in bat caves and mine tunnels.

8. Bat Habitats • Bats typically make their homes in trees, caves, mines, buildings, rocks, and under bridges • Bats live in all parts of the world except Antarctica, but prefer warm climates such as the Southwest • Special consideration must be given to the climate where the bat(s) you are studying live • Special consideration must be given to the environment where the bat(s) you are studying live • Consider your level of health before pursuing bat research

9. Bat HabitatsCaves and Mines: • Caves and mines require specialized training and physical demands • Caves and mines have unique dangers such as falls, reptiles and insects, low ceilings, unstable walls or ledges, rocks, and the potential buildup of dangerous gases • Caves and mines also increase the time before treatment can be administered in the event of an emergency • Researchers should obtain local expert knowledge of underground atmospheres where that information is available – mine safety authorities, speleologists, etc.

10. Bat HabitatsCaves and Mines: • Certain bats live in concentrations of NH3 while others live in CO2 concentrations that are both lethal to humans, so the presence of bats does NOT signify a safe atmosphere. • Poisonous dust and fumes from arsenic, manganese, mercury, and sulphur may be inhaled in some mines. • Cave-dust pneumonitis, a common chest problem in dry cave areas, may be an allergic or chemical response to organic substances in the dust.

11. Bat HabitatsTrees: • Trees require physical demands to work in • Trees have unique dangers such as falls, reptiles and insects, unstable branches

12. Bat HabitatsBuildings: • At  times bats may use houses or buildings as a roosting site.  Even though these places are not as good as their natural habitats, these human-made structures do offer them protection and are much like their preferred roosts. • An abandoned building poses risks of Hantavirus from rodent droppings, weakened structures due to age or insect damage, other species such as rattlesnakes using the dwelling, or other occupants

13. Bat HabitatsBridges: • Wherever there is a bridge, there might also be bats living under it.   Even the noise of a busy road overhead doesn't seem to bother them.  As the sun sets, they begin their night flight out to look for food. • Primary concerns here are access to the animals

14. Protective Equipment • Bats WILL BITE – use leather gloves when handling them • Most bats can be caught in Mist Nets • In enclosed areas such as caves or buildings a filter mask should be worn • It is also advised to wear long sleeved shirts and pants with boots as bat roosts are often dark and cluttered; carry multiple flashlights

15. This Concludes Module 12A – Bat Safety • Please download the exam, complete it, then e-mail it to KMirowsky@salud.unm.edu • For more information, or if you have questions, please contact OACC @ 272-6806 • This training module was reviewed by UNM expert Dr. William L. Gannon • Content approved by IACUC, 19 May 2005