Vampire Bats Near Amazon Development Are Biting People

When people move into the natural habitat of a wild creature, conflict can arise. We hope the creatures don't get the worst of it.

Brian Nelson at Eco-Worldly reports:

"The problem is most prevalent in Peru, where vampire bats are native and development is increasing at unprecedented levels. The leechlike flying mammals are already common in areas where agricultural development is high, and large colonies of bats thrive near cattle ranches. But despite the fact that rabies can be widespread among bats in these regions, few people are bitten here compared to the rates being seen in newly developed Amazonia. The reason for the difference is probably that vampire bats prefer large, docile mammals like cattle. Where development is destroying the habitat of the animals that the bats prefer, such as in the Amazon, the bats must turn to the next best thing: people." See full article.