Those individuals who are camping in the backcountry and along the river should strongly consider using a tent while sleeping to prevent any contact with bats or other wildlife. As a precautionary measure, anyone who comes into contact with a bat should notify a park employee and see a healthcare provider as soon as possible.
Grand Canyon National Park would like to remind visitors about the following things they can do to protect themselves from rabies:
- If you see sick or erratic behaving wildlife, do not approach or touch them. Notify a park employee or call the park's 24-hour emergency communications center at 928-638-7805.
- In areas where pets are allowed, make sure that pets are vaccinated and kept on a leash at all times.
- Teach your children to tell you if they were bitten or scratched by an animal.
- Anyone who has had contact with a bat or other wild animal in the park should notify a park employee as soon as possible.
- Visitors are reminded to observe and appreciate wildlife from a distance.
Grand Canyon National Park is working with the Coconino County Public Health Services District and the National Park Service Office of Public Health and Wildlife Health Branch to protect the health and safety of visitors and wildlife in the park by testing any sick or dead wildlife.