Students at the University of Georgia got more than they bargained for this semester when a winged infestation took residence at Oglethorpe House dormitory. Bats, a protected species, were spotted flying through the halls and cozying up in stairwells, prompting efforts to oust them from the premises. According to a FOX 5 report, school officials have been on the case for two weeks, with pest control actively working to evict the critters.
One student, Ella Sather, took it in stride but remained cautious, telling FOX 5, "Ever since we heard, we would, like, turn a corner, and make sure there was nothing there." Another, Eva Sardon, found unnerving encounters with bats alarming. "There was one in the lobby, and it was like on the floor, and then all of a sudden it just got up and started flying at me, so I ran back to my room," she told FOX 5. The bats purportedly gained entry through a penthouse connection to the roof's mechanical space, and despite concerted efforts to seal potential entry points, their sightings persisted.
The pesky issue gained traction on social media, with students taking to Yik Yak to express their concerns and share real-time bat sightings, as reported by The Red & Black. Freshman microbiology major Riya Patel mentioned bats were spotted as early as Jan. 11, which put the university's image and student safety on the line. Misinformation compounded the situation, with unauthorized posters about rabies surfacing, contrary to official statements dismissing risk exposures.
The university's response included a targeted email to O-House residents, outlining the bat situation and assuring that one of the stairwells would be temporarily off-limits, as confirmed by The Red & Black. Cole Sosebee from UGA Marketing and Communications clarified that the rabies-related materials posted in the dorm were not sanctioned by the university. Meanwhile, Linda Casper, the executive director of university housing, emphasized ongoing efforts to resolve the issue, citing that contingent upon locating and sealing off the access points, around 30 bats were removed from the stairwell in a single morning. She also urged students to avoid contact and report any bat encounters to the authorities, as detailed in a FOX 5 interview.
Despite these challenges, university officials and pest control remain vigilant, with measures to safely remove the bats continuing. Although there is a minute risk of rabies transmission, the Georgia Division of Natural Resources indicates that less than one percent of bats carry the disease. UGA, working closely with the Department of Public Health, has encouraged anyone who may have come into contact with the bats to take a health survey and follow up on necessary precautions, as FOX 5 detailed in their coverage. Until a permanent resolution is in place, students at Oglethorpe House must navigate their temporary cohabitation with a wing of unexpected, nocturnal neighbors.
