Fish & wildlife: Bat sightings common this time of year

The Kentucky Dept. for Fish and Wildlife Resources  encourages anyone who has been exposed to a rabid bat or other wildlife to contact their office at 1-800-858-1549.

Someone is available to answer calls Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

The person should also contact their local health dept., Clare Rose, a communications specialist with the dept. wildlife health office, told the Advocate.

If you spot suspicious wildlife, but have not come in contact with it, the dept. urges you to fill out a dead wildlife form so it can investigate, Rose said.

On the form the public is asked to submit information about the sighting for investigative purposes and send the wildlife off for testing if necessary, she said.

The form can be found at the dept. website at  fw.ky.gov under other links, report dead or sick wildlife.

Someone at the info center number listed above can also direct you to the proper form,  Rose said.

Rose noted bat sightings are more common this time of year.

Approximately 2 percent of the bats its submits for testing turn out to be positive for rabies, she said.

Rose said the some of the most common signs of a rabid bat are neurological issues such as flying in populated areas or flying erratically.

At the same time, she cautions that many young bats may be flying this time of year and may appear to be flying erratically because they are learning to fly.

She encourages the public to err on the side of caution and report any suspicious wildlife to the dept.