BANGOR DAILY NEWS • April 6, 2020
In response to a growing concern that COVID-19 could be transmitted from humans to wildlife, the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife has decided to take extra precautions while handling wild animals and will temporarily cease handling any bats for research. Bats have recently suffered a dramatic population decline in Maine and across most of the United States due to white-nose syndrome. In handling all other wildlife species, the department is recommending that biologists and others who interact with wildlife wear gloves, facemasks and depending on the situation, either washable or disposable coveralls.