Killing Bats Won’t Help Prevent Disease, But Here’s What Will

By Melissa Ingala & Ariadna Morales | Article published in Global Bat Net, April 20, 2020

Many people assume all bats carry diseases threatening humans. This concern intensified after a virus from one bat species appeared related to SARS-CoV-2. Research indicates bats serve as special reservoirs for zoonotic pathogens due to their flight ability, immune systems, and colonial behavior.

However, recent studies demonstrate that bats are no more likely to transmit zoonotic viruses than other groups of mammals when accounting for species diversity. The abundance of viruses found in bats likely reflects the sheer number of bat species — over 1,400 — rather than any inherent danger.

Why Culling Doesn’t Work

Culling bat populations does not prevent disease transmission and may actually backfire. Vampire bat removal in Peru increased rabies transmission among remaining populations, which skewed toward juveniles with less immunity. Endangered bats show higher viral loads than stable populations, suggesting that extinction threats can worsen viral hosting capacity.

What Bats Give Us

Bats provide enormous ecological and economic value. They deliver millions of dollars in pest control services globally and pollinate crops including tequila agaves, mangos, and durian. They also combat deforestation and climate change through seed dispersal and rainforest regeneration.

Real Prevention Requires Behavior Change

Preventing future spillovers requires behavioral change and habitat protection. Education about avoiding contact with disease reservoirs is effective. Deforestation and human encroachment in Africa correlate with Ebola-positive fruit bats. Creating buffers between human settlements and wildlife is essential for protecting both public and environmental health.

The answer is not to harm bats — it is to protect them and the habitats that keep our ecosystems, and ourselves, healthy.