Researchers in Thailand testing horseshoe bats for coronavirus

A blood sample from a horseshoe bat for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) test is pictured at a lab, amid concerns that the bats may pose a threat to local residents, in Chonburi province, Thailand, June 12, 2020. Picture taken June 12, 2020. Department of National Parks, Wildlife and The Plant Conservation (DNP)/Handout via REUTERS

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Researchers in Thailand began collecting samples from horseshoe bats to test them for coronavirus amid concerns they may pose a threat to local residents, a government statement said on Saturday.

They plan to collect 300 bats over three days from a cave in the Chanthaburi province in the southeast of the country. The bats will be released following the tests.