Citizen Scientists: In Search of Bats

Merlin Tuttle, Geoffrey Gomes and Daniel Hargreaves share their personal stories of how they found their way to science as they lead a group of volunteers on an expedition through the Trinidadian rain forest, seeking to discover rare bats and photograph their homes.

Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation (MTBC) was founded by Dr. Merlin Tuttle. He has studied and photographed bats worldwide for more than 60 years. He founded and led Bat Conservation International (BCI) for 30 years, then left BCI in 2009 and founded MTBC.

Merlin’s unique photography and communication first led to global appreciation of bats as safe, invaluable, even cute, and likable. No one has better demonstrated the power of combining captivating photos with sound science to win friends instead of battles for bats. Nor has anyone better demonstrated how conservation can benefit humans. Merlin’s legendary photos and experience provide invaluable guidance and inspiration that must be preserved and shared for future generations.

MTBC is now Merlin’s sole source of support, both for his ongoing conservation efforts and for preservation of his priceless photo collection and legacy resources.

Filmed and Co-Directed by Teresa May Nichta
Edited and Co-Directed by Hugo Vargas-Zesati

[caitlynkelly]

how inspiring! thank you so much - I really enjoyed this