Rabid bat captured at the Little Rock Zoo, however it's great

Bats are usually cool, however sometimes they have rabies. The bat visualized here is not the one killed just recently at the Little Rock Zoo.

Everybody be cool, however a wild bat was found and killed at the Little Rock Zoo Saturday.
It's all fine, though (so far).

Zoo spokeswoman Joy Matlock ensured us it was just the one wild bat that someone identified acting strangely. A zoo veterinarian did what needed to be done, euthanizing the bat humanely and testing it for the dreadful rabies.

We understand what you're thinking. Did the rabid bat bite any people or zoo animals prior to its unfortunate demise? Are clouds of wild bats dive-bombing as terrified visitors make their slow-motion escape on the kid train? Is this a weird new way to promote Boo at the Zoo?

The answer to all of the above is no. No zoo-goers reported any scratches or bites, and all the zoo animals seem fine. Their keepers are enjoying carefully for any signs to the contrary. The zoo is open for business. Up until now, so great.
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The cooperation is at turns worrying and helpful. "Bats are a vital part of our environment"!

So anyhow, absolutely nothing to stress over. Most likely.
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Check out the complete release here.

Little Rock, Ark.-- On Saturday, September 23, the Little Rock Zoo got a report of a wild bat flying erratically on Zoo premises. The bat checked positive for rabies at the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) Glen F. Baker Public Health Laboratory. Although we have actually not yet heard any reports that the bat came in contact with anybody, as a preventative measure, we are asking individuals who might have encountered the bat to call the ADH.

If you or somebody you know had direct contact with the bat at the Little Rock Zoo on Saturday, please call the ADH at 501-661-2381 throughout regular company hours (Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or call the after-hours number at 800-554-5738 for a risk evaluation to determine if rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is required. Additionally, you can email the ADH at adh.zoonotic@arkansas.gov. ADH does not spend for or offer rabies PEP but can supply consultation to citizens and doctor who have concerns about whether it is essential.

On Saturday, Zoo personnel observed unusual habits by the bat and informed Zoo veterinary personnel. The wild bat, which was not part of the Zoo's collection, was captured. One of the Zoo's veterinarians, dressed in proper personal protective equipment, collected the animal and humanely euthanized it. There was no recognized exposure to the Zoo's animal collection.

The Zoo's standard operating procedure for wildlife consists of due diligence checks and evaluations of wild animals to ensure they are disease-free to protect the animal collection, personnel, and guests. The Zoo catches animals exhibiting neurologically comprised habits to test for health status and everyone's security.

Bats are a necessary part of our ecosystem, they can potentially present a health threat when they are in close contact with people. A very little portion of bats (less than 1%) are contaminated with rabies, and these bats will end up being ill and act unusually, making them more most likely to encounter human beings. When appropriate, rabies PEP must be offered to exposed individuals to avoid the advancement of rabies illness.

To learn more about rabies, go to https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/rabies.