parks
White Sands National Park seeks teen who brought dead bat into visitor center
By Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7
· June 25, 2026
· 2 min read
(KVIA) -- Thursday, the National Park Service said White Sands National Park wants to find a visitor who touched a dead bat and brought it into the visitor center June 18.
NPS said at 10:20 a.m., a teenager came in holding a bat and put it on the visitor center desk. The teen and an adult told...
Key takeaway The teen and an adult told staff they found the bat already dead.
Why this matters in The El Paso
The incident at White Sands National Park is a concerning reminder for El Paso area residents and visitors to be aware of the risks associated with wildlife, particularly bats. With a confirmed case of rabies in a bat at the park last year, the potential for exposure is a serious public health concern. The fact that the teenager and adult handled the dead bat and then left the visitor center without receiving guidance from park staff increases the risk of potential rabies transmission. El Paso County residents who visit White Sands National Park should be cautious when encountering wildlife, keeping a safe distance and reporting any unusual animal behavior to park rangers. The National Park Service's warning to seek medical attention if exposure to a potentially rabid animal has occurred is a crucial step in preventing the spread of the disease. Local health departments and medical providers should be prepared to handle potential cases and provide guidance on post-exposure treatment.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: parks ·
Published: June 25, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? (KVIA) -- Thursday, the National Park Service said White Sands National Park wants to find a visitor who touched a dead bat and brought it into the visitor center June 18.
NPS said at 10:20 a.m., a teenager came in holding a bat and put it on the visitor center desk. The teen and an adult told...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 25, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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