why the de-- where the debate came down and the bill passed and we're moving on. >> reporter: laura meckler being here. >> thanks for having me. >> woodruff: the world health organization is expected to release its report soon on the origins of the coronavirus and how the pandemic began. many researchers believe the virus first passed from bats to humans, adding to public fears around bats. but as special correspondent catherine rampell tells us, their species are under threat in a way that presents significant consequences for us. and a note: parts of this report were shot before the pandemic. >> reporter: there's a p.r. push to help bats. >> we're an easy target. people have bought into this. i'm dark, i'm brooding, i'm malevolent, i'm bad. apparently it's our fault. >> reporter: and truth be told, bats could use all the help they can get. humans have long feared this spooky species. today things are much worse, since many blame bats for causing the pandemic. there's no hard proof that they did, but around the world, bats have been subject to misguided, sometimes gruesome attacks. >> how