Grand Canyon National Park reports that a bat on the Colorado River corridor has tested positive for rabies.
The bat was brought in for testing in mid-August.
Although bats are common in the canyon, the park estimates that in a healthy colony of bats, less than 1% will have the disease.
It reminds people who visit the backcountry to enjoy wildlife at a distance and notify the park if they see any animal that is behaving erratically.
Grand Canyon spokeswoman Joelle Baird said bats are beneficial to the ecosystem.
“They’re a super fascinating and valuable animal. We need them to maintain healthy ecosystems here at Grand and throughout the Southwest,” Baird said.
Because rabies is fatal if left untreated, she said that anyone who is bitten should seek medical attention immediately.
