Two dead snowshoe hares found in Glacier National Park have tested positive for tularemia, prompting park officials to warn visitors about the risks of the potentially serious bacterial disease.
According to the National Park Service, the infected animals were discovered in the park’s Many Glacier Valley in late September. While human infections are rare, tularemia can cause serious illness in people and pets, making precautions important for anyone spending time outdoors in the area.
Two Infected Hares Found in Many Glacier Valley
The first dead snowshoe hare was discovered on September 26th, 2026, in the National Park Service’s Many Glacier staff housing area. A second hare was found four days later, on September 30th, along the trail leading to the Swiftcurrent Falls viewing area.
Park officials confirmed that both animals tested positive for tularemia, a disease that occurs naturally and can affect wildlife, domestic animals and humans. mThe disease is most commonly transmitted through bites from infected ticks or flies. People and pets can also become infected through contact with infected animals, contaminated food or water, or by inhaling bacteria released into the air when infected animal carcasses are disturbed.
Tularemia can cause illness and death in wildlife, particularly small mammals. Although person-to-person transmission is rare, the National Park Service is urging visitors to take precautions while exploring Glacier National Park.
How Visitors Can Reduce Their Risk
Park officials recommend using insect repellent and checking yourself, children and pets for ticks after spending time outdoors. Visitors should also wash their hands frequently, maintain a safe distance from wildlife and never touch dead animals.
Anyone visiting the park should drink only water that has been treated or boiled. Activities that could disturb sick or dead animals, including mowing and weed trimming, should also be avoided because they can release bacteria into the air.
Tularemia symptoms in humans can include fever, chills, joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, dry cough, chest pain, skin sores and swollen lymph nodes.
Anyone who develops symptoms within two weeks of visiting the affected area should seek medical attention and inform their healthcare provider about the possibility of tularemia exposure. The disease can be treated with antibiotics, but early diagnosis and treatment are important.
What to Do If You Find a Dead Animal
Visitors who encounter dead animals in Glacier National Park should not touch or disturb them. Instead, they should report the animal’s location to park staff as soon as possible.
More information about the disease and prevention measures is available through the National Park Service’s tularemia information page.