We’re all wearing masks. Because bats tend to carry lots of viruses. Some of them are harmful to us. Bats are vital for keeping the rain forest alive — they are key pollinators for more than 500 kinds of plants. But as people spread out around the globe, we’re increasingly coming into contact with bats — and the viruses they carry. Right here, we’re using one of their favorite hideouts as a tourist attraction.
“Visiting beautiful places like this inspires people to protect tropical ecosystems and the species that live here,” Olival says. “At the same time, we need to recognize that there may be potential health risks when people and wildlife come together, and that’s why we’re working to understand and limit those risks.”
“We found 48 new viruses in the surrounding forest,” Olival says, “including a virus related to SARS in bats that roost in the cave.”
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