Rabies Alert: Yosemite Bat Tests Positive

Yosemite National Park officials have confirmed that a bat discovered dead in Yosemite Valley on May 18, 2026, tested positive for rabies. The deceased big brown bat was found near the Curry Village Showerhouse. Park authorities have stated that there have been no reported instances of humans having direct contact with this specific bat.

Individuals who may have come into contact with a bat in the Curry Village area around that date are advised by officials to reach out to the California Department of Public Health and their personal healthcare provider. Rabies is a serious disease that infects the brain and is typically fatal once symptoms appear, but it is preventable with prompt medical attention. This marks the second rabid bat found in Yosemite within the past year, with the previous one identified in July 2025.

Park officials emphasize that bites or scratches from bats can be subtle and may not always be apparent. Direct contact also includes a bat brushing against skin or clothing. Yosemite is known to be inhabited by 17 different species of bats. The park strongly advises visitors against touching or handling any bats or wild animals, and to report any bat encounters, alive or deceased, to park staff while maintaining a safe distance.