Bat expedition in Malawi

A world without bats would simply be a much darker place. Every fourth mammal on our planet is one of those flying superheroes who are secretly responsible for the functioning of complex ecosystems around the globe. Our well-being is directly in the hands, or wings to be precise, of bats without us even realising. The endless variety of field products on our tables are there thanks to bats who are effectively feeding on plant pesticides. Our healthy smoothies contain bananas and peaches thanks to tropic bat species who pollinate those plants. And if you are still unimpressed then the fact that the value of pest control provided by bats to US agriculture is estimated to be up to about the same as Singapore`s government budget for year 2017, is quite remarkableto say the least.

These are only a few of the reasons why I have become fond of those tiny creatures, although some species can be about the size of a smaller dog in the tropic areas. Since our first meeting in the summer of 2016 I have had a chance to travel to Dublin and London thanks to my research project on landscape ecology of bats. I beacame friends with a boy from USA who single-handedly built a self-driving intelligent car, and a guy from Zimbabwe who`s probably going to supply poor African villages with cheap electricity in the next ten years. Those last three years full of adventures and new friends from around the world are not meant to end here. New challenges are already on the horizon.

One six weeks long adventure is waiting for my in the summer of 2020, but I need your help to make it happen. Thanks to ABC (African Bat Conservation) I have an extraordinary oppurtunity to take part in bat ecology studies in Vwaza marsh wildlife reserve in Malawi. My contribution will be a part of a bigger project with the aim to find out more about the bat species inherent to savannah habitat, especially focusing on species who pollinate the baobab trees. Baobabs are in every way the Trees of Life since they hold back the erosion, preserve precious water, produce nutritious fruits and provide habitat for numerous birds, animals and insects without whom we would not have the type of savannahs we have today. Surrounded by elephants, lions and tarantulas I have a chance to work side by side with world class bat scientists from UK to get valuable skills and knowledge to one day lead my own reasearch group.

Altough the closest place to spend money from Vwaza research camp is miles away, the life there is far from free. Food, accommodation and scientific gear have their price all around the world. Flying to Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, and back is also considerably expensive. And since Malawi is „blessed“ with high risk of rabies, tetanus and malaria, it is highly recommended to get according medications which surely are not cheap. And if you top that with some additional costs for example the ammunition to be protected from lion attacks then your calculator provides a number that is lethal for a poor student`s budget.

Although I am investing almost all of my savings in to this project it unfortunately is not nearly enough. Now is your chance to support my project with a small donation. In return I promise to do everything I can that in the future we would still have places in this world where we could all experience the true wildness and beauty of nature.

Thank you for supporting me and caring about bats!