News Release

Bat Tests Positive for Rabies at Jewel Cave

Bats are important for healthy ecosystems and provide valuable insect pest control services. Typically, less than 1% of bats in nature have rabies, but it is a serious disease that is fatal in animals and humans without prompt medical care.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: August 14, 2026 A bat at Jewel Cave National Monument has tested positive for rabies. Trained park personnel collected the live bat along the Historic Lantern Tour route on July 29. No human contact with this bat has been reported.

The park is collaborating with South Dakota Department of Health and the National Park Service’s Office of Health and Safety and Wildlife Health Branch. This joint effort highlights the park’s commitment to keeping visitors informed and safe.

Rabies is a deadly viral disease, but it can be treated if infected people/animals receive prompt medical care following potential exposure. Humans contract rabies through exposure to a rabid animal, typically through a bite, scratch, or contact with saliva. Any direct contact with a bat (alive or dead) is considered a potential rabies exposure because bites and scratches from bats can be harder to detect. More information about rabies can be found on the South Dakota Department of Health website.

If you believe you or your family members had contact with a bat while visiting Jewel Cave National Monument, please contact your medical provider and the South Dakota Department of Health at 1.800.592.1861.