GooseyGander
New Member
Hello,
So this is deeply embarassing! I visited about a month ago and went in the bat caves and had a terrible time actually seeing in the enclosure, there's a section in the middle where you go through the plastic into a bit that resembles the exhibit equivalent of a bird hideout but the bats fly freely through it - my hand caught on the plastic (bit that serves as a door) and I felt a sharp scratch as I reached for it to stop it falling on the person behind me.
But a bat flew right past my hand at the same time. I swear I didn't tamper with them or anything akin to that, I was respectful and distant the entire time I swear this isn't some elaborate cover for me having tried to touch anything as if I had I'd have already been to the doctors just in case - I mentioned the dark above simply because it somewhat fuels my fear that I could have accidentally bothered one as I grabbed the plastic as they were on the wall around me. I walked away without injury and I do truly believe that it was the plastic I scratched my hand on, no visible injury from doing so but given the nature of the exhibit I've been mildly concerned since then.
Everything I can find says the chance of developing anything from such an encounter at such a reputable zoo is low and vaccines are expensive and apparently altogether rather unpleasant to deal with alongside not something you wish to have if medically unnecessary but the worry has persisted.
I was aware of this forum from people at the zoo I used to volunteer with using it so I thought I'd take a shot in the dark tat someone more knowledgeable than me and more clued into the specific safety of this exhibit might see this.
So this is deeply embarassing! I visited about a month ago and went in the bat caves and had a terrible time actually seeing in the enclosure, there's a section in the middle where you go through the plastic into a bit that resembles the exhibit equivalent of a bird hideout but the bats fly freely through it - my hand caught on the plastic (bit that serves as a door) and I felt a sharp scratch as I reached for it to stop it falling on the person behind me.
But a bat flew right past my hand at the same time. I swear I didn't tamper with them or anything akin to that, I was respectful and distant the entire time I swear this isn't some elaborate cover for me having tried to touch anything as if I had I'd have already been to the doctors just in case - I mentioned the dark above simply because it somewhat fuels my fear that I could have accidentally bothered one as I grabbed the plastic as they were on the wall around me. I walked away without injury and I do truly believe that it was the plastic I scratched my hand on, no visible injury from doing so but given the nature of the exhibit I've been mildly concerned since then.
Everything I can find says the chance of developing anything from such an encounter at such a reputable zoo is low and vaccines are expensive and apparently altogether rather unpleasant to deal with alongside not something you wish to have if medically unnecessary but the worry has persisted.
I was aware of this forum from people at the zoo I used to volunteer with using it so I thought I'd take a shot in the dark tat someone more knowledgeable than me and more clued into the specific safety of this exhibit might see this.
