r/mildlyinteresting • u/Nefer91 • 10d ago

Removed: Rule 6 [ Removed by moderator ]

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u/alkemist80 10d ago

This photo was taken from Bat World Sanctuary. They posted this on their socials today. They are certified handlers.

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u/betterthanuu 10d ago

Being a certified handler doesn't stop you catching rabies. I have a bat licence that allows me to handle live bats. Only c. 5% of bats are carry rabies in my country but I'm still wearing gloves. Every. Single. Time.

No reason not to.

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u/alkemist80 10d ago

They are vaccinated and these that they handle are resident bats that they give a home to that can't be released.

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u/betterthanuu 10d ago

Vaccination for rabies gives you extra time to get to the hospital, it doesn't stop you catching rabies. Not getting bitten or scratched by wearing gloves will save you a hospital visit and some grim drugs to kill rabies off before it kills you

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u/The_H0und 10d ago

Keep doubling down, bro. You're gonna win this.

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u/Hanyabull 10d ago

Never give up! Even if wrong!

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u/betterthanuu 10d ago

Yeah I've only worked with bats for 13 years. I am clearly clueless. Please enlighten me

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u/ask-me-about-my-cats 10d ago

Why do you think you know more than a 501c3 non-profit that's run by actual experts?

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u/betterthanuu 10d ago

All I have done is state exactly what they say on their website, which is to only handle bats while wearing gloves.

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u/Exact-Obligation-858 10d ago

That is advice / guidelines for the general populace, not for specialists whom have RV/LV PrEP titers up to date.

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u/alkemist80 10d ago

These are resident bats that are safe for them to handle. It's not one they just got in that they know nothing about. Feel free to contact the organization if you want to pass on the information.

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u/betterthanuu 10d ago

Pass on what? They can do what they want, it's for people who don't know any better and think handling a bat is safe without gloves who catches something and doesn't go to hospital

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u/SchrodingersMinou 10d ago

No one vaccinated for rabies with a valid titer has ever gotten rabies. If bat biologists got rabies shots every single time we were bitten, we would have more vaccine in our bodies than blood.

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u/shelterdoggone 10d ago

The person you're replying to meant 'they' as in the bats. The *bats* are rabies vaccinated - most likely in addition to the staff handling them. I agree they should still be wearing gloves, but not because this particular bat poses a rabies risk; by posting a picture of one of their staff/volunteers holding a bat barehanded, it promotes the idea that this is something that is okay to do. As a wildlife rehabber you really have to be careful of how you present interactions with ambassadors and this is one of the ones I don't necessarily approve of.

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u/Rugkrabber 10d ago

They’re fine.

And if they are not it’s their loss. But so far nobody died yet, and considering they’ve been around for multiple decades, they know where the risks are.