Your kids are safe, but a bat on a bus in Drumheller

Good morning from the coulees — the wind's up, the sky's wide, and Lethbridge has something to say.

Look, you hear about bats, and your mind goes right to the ones that hang out under the High Level Bridge, sometimes giving the poor folks who walk the pathways a bit of a start. But a bat on a *school bus*? That's a different kind of critter, and that's exactly what happened up the road in Drumheller, leading to a few students getting treated for rabies exposure. It's a reminder that even in our wide-open spaces, wildlife doesn't always stay where you expect it.

This whole thing started when a bat somehow made its way onto a school bus. It's not clear exactly how, but some students on the bus had direct contact with the animal. Because of that contact, at least three students are now undergoing treatment for potential rabies exposure. It's a serious situation, requiring a series of shots, and it's something that definitely catches your attention when you're thinking about your own kids heading off to school around here, whether it's out west towards the U of L campus or closer to Indian Battle Park.

### What This Means for Lethbridge Parents

While this happened in Drumheller, the facts about bat safety are the same no matter where you are in Alberta.

* **Rabies is serious:** It's almost always fatal once symptoms appear, so swift treatment after exposure is crucial.

* **Don't touch bats:** If you see a bat, especially one acting strangely (like being out during the day or on a school bus), don't touch it. Call Animal Control or Alberta Health Services.

* **Check your homes:** Bats can sometimes find their way into attics or garages. Seal up any entry points to keep them out of your living spaces.

It just goes to show you, sometimes the most unusual stories happen right under our wide Alberta sky. Stay safe out there, Lethbridge, and keep an eye out for those unexpected passengers.

Jolene Blackwater, MiTL Sports Desk Lethbridge.

The crew over at mornings.live is probably still shaking their heads about this one — catch their take at mornings.live.