Campus Life

Environmental Health & Safety Advises Avoiding Wildlife On Campus

Wild and feral animals pose a rabies risk to humans and should never be touched.
By Lesley Henton, Texas A&M University Division of Marketing & Communications January 17, 2020

Texas A&M Environmental Health and Safety reminds you that there is wildlife on the Texas A&M campus, including, but not limited to, feral cats, bats and squirrels. Wild and feral animals pose a rabies risk to humans and should never be touched.

Image of a flying bat
Bats carry a high risk of rabies. (Photo: Getty Images)

In addition, a few species of bats found in Texas are considered endangered or threatened, and thus should not be disturbed.

If a wild or feral animal is injured, trapped within a building or appears to be dead, you should avoid contact and immediately notify the nearest staff attendant or university police officer, or call the Facilities Services Communications Center at 979-845-4311.

If you or someone around you is injured by an animal on campus, immediately notify university officials via the aforementioned methods. If possible, the animal will be collected for rabies testing so that any follow-up measures can be taken in consultation with the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS).

If a collected animal is sent for testing after contact with a person, the impacted individual will be notified with test results, and DSHS will work with physicians to assess exposure and advise on appropriate treatment if necessary.

Also, remember to close all windows and doors, especially in the evening, to help keep animals from entering buildings.

For more information about rabies, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services Infectious Disease Control website.

Media contact: Lesley Henton, 979-845-5591, lshenton@tamu.edu.

 

Related Stories

Recent Stories