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Bats

Last updated on March 2, 2022

Bats in B.C. eat a wide variety of insects and pests. They are essential for keeping our ecosystems in balance. This page overviews information on bats and what to do if you come in contact with one. 

On this page:

What to do if you find a bat 

Bats can carry many different pathogens, some of which are harmful to bats and humans. We need to ensure humans have the information they need to live around bats. 

What to do if you find a bat:

Flowchart click to expand

There was direct human contact with a bat:

  • Contact your public health regional office OR call 811 (Healthlink B.C.) for guidance
  • If you are looking for assistance after hours, go to your nearest Emergency centre or call 811 (Healthlink B.C.)

My pet came into direct contact with a bat:

  • Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible

I want to report a bat:

For information on reporting and living with bats contact:

Learn more about bats 

Bats are an important group of animals. To understand more about the impacts of bat health on humans. We need to learn about: 
  • General health of bats and their basic biology
  • Their population numbers
  • Daily activity patterns
  • Roost selection (where they gather when they are not active)

More information on bats:

COVID-19 and bats 

It is unknown if bats in B.C. can become infected with or transmit the SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. This situation is evolving; check in with the BC Small Mammal and Herpetofauna Specialist for updates. ​

March 11, 2021

The Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative's (CWHC) recommendations on the handling of bats.

Read the news release

July 2, 2021

Guidance for those who work with wildlife from the American Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Read the news release

April 1, 2020 

Update from the U.S. National Wildlife Health Centre (NWHC) about the Coronavirus in wildlife. 

Read the news release

 

Bat Health

Learn more about diseases that can affect bats in B.C.

Contact information

For all wildlife health inquiries, contact BC Wildlife Health at:

Wildlife health Office
250 751-7246
Email
Caeley.Thacker@gov.bc.ca