Peru has conducted culls of vampire bats for a long time in an attempt to curtail the spread of rabies. These bats feed on the blood of wild and domestic animals. Although the bites are not dangerous, or even painful, in themselves, the bats sometimes spread disease. Since bats can carry rabies, often becoming immune themselves, it seems logical that killing bats might help stop the disease.
This is not the case. A new study of the impact of bat culls in Peru shows that, if anything, culling bats increases the prevalence of rabies.
If culling bats does not stem rabies then there is absolutely no point. Peru needs to use methods other than killing otherwise harmless native wildlife to control the disease. Ask the Peruvian Government to stop these counterproductive culls.
We the undersigned ask that you stop culling vampire bats in an attempt to control rabies, a practice which, if anything, is making matters worse.
The joint 3-year study between the USA and Peru between 2007 and 2010 showed that rabies increased in the areas where culling took place as opposed to those where it did not, indicating that the culls are not just ineffective - they are completely counterproductive.
There is no denying that rabies must be controlled, but if bat culls aren’t helping then the focus must be placed on other methods.
Thank you for your attention.
