Yosemite faces backlash over three-month delay in rabies alert for bat found at Curry Village

Key points

• A big brown bat found dead outside the Curry Village showerhouse on May 18, 2026, tested positive for rabies.
• The National Park Service issued a public alert on September 2, more than three months after the discovery.
• Officials stated no human contact with the bat is known, but urged anyone with potential exposure to seek immediate medical care.
• The delay sparked online outrage, with visitors questioning why the warning was not issued sooner.
• The last rabies-positive bat in Yosemite was recorded in July 2025.

Background

Rabies is a fatal viral disease that is preventable with prompt medical treatment. In California, rabies is found in approximately 200 animals annually, mostly wild. Yosemite is home to 17 bat species, but only a small percentage test positive for rabies each year. The previous rabies-positive bat in the park was discovered in July 2025.

How outlets are covering it

The Los Angeles Times and New York Post highlight the public’s anger over the delayed notification, noting that rabies can be fatal if untreated. The Fresno Bee provides a broader context on rabies in California, emphasizing the importance of prompt medical care. The National Park Service defends its actions, stating that the bat was collected as part of routine wildlife disease surveillance and that testing protocols depend on the circumstances surrounding each specimen. Other national parks, such as Wind Cave and Jewel Cave, issued alerts within weeks of discovering rabid bats, raising questions about Yosemite’s communication practices.

Why it matters

The delayed alert raises concerns about public health communication and the potential risks to visitors who may have been exposed to rabies. Prompt medical care is crucial for preventing rabies, which is almost always fatal if untreated.

What to watch

The National Park Service is urging anyone who may have had direct contact with a bat in the Curry Village area around May 18 to contact the California Department of Health and a healthcare provider promptly. No further updates are expected unless new cases of exposure are reported.