For the second time this year, The New York Times has misleadingly presented facts about bats with their June 12 publication of “Bats, Not Dogs, Are the Most Common Source of Rabies”. Bats are still struggling to overcome centuries of misinformation, be it from innocent ignorance or malicious intent. Furthermore, they are fighting for their lives in several countries due to human driven endangerment as well as the devastating effects of white-nose syndrome, the worst wildlife disease in modern history. Scaring the public to gain readers is immoral on top of being counterproductive to the work that countless wildlife rehabilitators, biologists, ecologists, zookeepers, and volunteers carry out globally to save their local bats. We urge that Editor Nick Fox, Health and Science Editor Celia Dugger, and/or author James Gorman print a retraction of the article that states that the risk of rabies to humans by bats was grossly and carelessly overstated.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 1, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
June 28, 2019
162 Comments
This is pure negligence! Only a few years back after a false news article a guy took a machine gun and gunned down a whole cave roost of completely harmless rare Egyptian fruit bats. Junk news has real world consequences! Take responsibility and remove the false article and replace it with truthful and responsible news.
As a bat conservationist I am VERY disappointed with the NY Times. Here in Asia stray dogs are a much more serious rabies threat than bats ever could be. Stop villifying bats!!!
Bats are an integral part of the ecosystem and have already been wildly demonized. These articles further embolden people to kill bats they find, further harming the already dwindling bat population. Fear mongering in all it's forms is wildly immoral and does not belong in any reputable journalistic articles.
While bats can be a rabies risk, this article grossly overstates and at times is purposely vague about these details, implying risk that is not supported by scientific evidence.
Bats are a critical part of the ecosystem, both as pollinators and for insect control. The NY Times (I am a subscriber) should educate, not demonize! I’ve been bitten by dogs, never by a bat! Please correct your misleading article.
Bats are wonderful creatures, try spreading REAL info
Misinformation about vulnerable, misunderstood species needs to be stopped!
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For the second time this year, The New York Times has misleadingly presented facts about bats with their June 12 publication of “Bats, Not Dogs, Are the Most Common Source of Rabies”. Bats are still struggling to overcome centuries of misinformation, be it from innocent ignorance or malicious intent. Furthermore, they are fighting for their lives in several countries due to human driven endangerment as well as the devastating effects of white-nose syndrome, the worst wildlife disease in modern history. Scaring the public to gain readers is immoral on top of being counterproductive to the work that countless wildlife rehabilitators, biologists, ecologists, zookeepers, and volunteers carry out globally to save their local bats. We urge that Editor Nick Fox, Health and Science Editor Celia Dugger, and/or author James Gorman print a retraction of the article that states that the risk of rabies to humans by bats was grossly and carelessly overstated.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
October 1, 2019
Reached 100 supporters
June 28, 2019
162 Comments
This is really sad. They probably don't even know that where I live (the US Virgin Islands) bats do NOT carry rabies, period. I hope that the NYT (which I subscribe to) will present not only an educated retraction but will in future ensure that verifiable facts are presented.
This is pure negligence! Only a few years back after a false news article a guy took a machine gun and gunned down a whole cave roost of completely harmless rare Egyptian fruit bats. Junk news has real world consequences! Take responsibility and remove the false article and replace it with truthful and responsible news.
As a bat conservationist I am VERY disappointed with the NY Times. Here in Asia stray dogs are a much more serious rabies threat than bats ever could be. Stop villifying bats!!!
Bats are an integral part of the ecosystem and have already been wildly demonized. These articles further embolden people to kill bats they find, further harming the already dwindling bat population. Fear mongering in all it's forms is wildly immoral and does not belong in any reputable journalistic articles.
While bats can be a rabies risk, this article grossly overstates and at times is purposely vague about these details, implying risk that is not supported by scientific evidence.
Bats are a critical part of the ecosystem, both as pollinators and for insect control. The NY Times (I am a subscriber) should educate, not demonize! I’ve been bitten by dogs, never by a bat! Please correct your misleading article.
Bats are wonderful creatures, try spreading REAL info
Misinformation about vulnerable, misunderstood species needs to be stopped!
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This is really sad. They probably don't even know that where I live (the US Virgin Islands) bats do NOT carry rabies, period. I hope that the NYT (which I subscribe to) will present not only an educated retraction but will in future ensure that verifiable facts are presented.