Vertebrate Pest Conference Proceedings collection
Date of this Version
March 1964
Abstract
This brief review of the public health importance and control of bats is oriented to Trinidad, where, during the past ten years I investigated their zoomedical importance (1). Trinidad is noted for Pawan's classic epidemiological studies of bat rabies (2,3) as well as its bat control program with which I have been associated since its inception in 1934 (4). Further, Trinidad has bat problems, in addition to rabies, which occur in other countries of the world. Although various methods of bat control have been developed in Trinidad, the field is virtually unexplored. Increasingly, bat control is a matter of paramount importance to Trinidad and other countries in Central and South America striving for self-sufficiency in meat and dairy production to feed their expanding populations.