DWR to host events showcasing southeastern Utah bats
Aug 5, 2025, 5:05 PM | Updated: 5:05 pm
A researcher wearing gloves handles a Fringed Bat during a Utah Division of Wildlife Resources bat event on July 7, 2025 near Nine Mile Canyon. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
(Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
SALT LAKE CITY — Two upcoming events hosted by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources will highlight southeastern Utah bats.
Utah is home to 18 bat species. DWR Southeastern Region Outreach Manager Brandon Behling said they play a very important role in their ecosystem.
“They are often misunderstood, and sometimes feared, when they don’t need to be. We are excited to provide more information about these unique animals and hopefully give people the chance to see them up close at two upcoming events being held in southeastern Utah, ” Behling said.
Although bats live throughout the state, the DWR said southeastern Utah is home to the most diverse population.
Southeastern Utah bats featured in upcoming events
The upcoming events will allow members of the public to get up close to Utah bats during surveys being conducted by biologists. The DWR hosted similar events last summer.
During the surveys, biologists use nets to capture bats. Then, they identify them and gather information before releasing them. These surveys take place throughout Utah, the DWR said.
The first event is coming up, taking place in Nine Mile Canyon on Aug. 9. Beginning at 7 p.m., participants can learn from DWR personnel.
Then, on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m., the DWR will host an event in the Kane Creek Recreation Parking Area.
Each of the events will end at 11 p.m. Participants will need to pre-register for the free event, as space is limited.
Why do I need to wear a mask? – Mask requirements
Participants will need to wear N95 masks when they’re within six feet of the Utah bats. Per the DWR, the requirement is to “help prevent health concerns to the bats” and humans.
A DWR researcher holds a bat and poses with a member of the public during an event highlight Utah bats in Springville, Utah on Aug. 2, 2024. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
Kim Hersey, the DWR Wildlife Conservation Coordinator, shared a field hygiene guide designed for those interacting with bats. It shed more light onto the need for personal protection equipment during planned encounters.
The guide was developed by the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. It says it was designed to minimize transmission of COVID-19 between humans and naive host bats — those that have not yet been exposed to the virus.
Although bats have rather strong immune systems, the AFWA said over 50% of the North American bat species are believed to have a moderate to high risk of extinction over the next 15 years.
A researcher wearing gloves handles a bat during the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ Bat Night on Aug. 2, 2024 in Springville, Utah. (Utah Division of Wildlife Resources)
In addition to wearing masks, the AFWA recommended that those working with bats avoid eating, drinking and smoking around the animals, disinfect surfaces and wash their hands often, and wear other PPE, including gloves.
“Masks are part of the measures we take, in addition to gloves and decontamination, to prevent exposure and transmission of pathogens to protect both human and bat health,” wrote Hersey in an email to KSL NewsRadio.
