A Photographer in Bat Paradise - His Photos are Impressive - Barro Colorado Island reveals the secret lives of 76 tropical bat species

Barro Colorado Island in the Panama Canal is home to 76 bat species. The island, formed in 1907 by damming the Río Chagres, spans 15 square kilometres and serves as a research outpost for the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. The island is managed by the Smithsonian Institution. It has long been a hub for scientific study, particularly on tropical bats. Elisabeth Kalko, a renowned expert, conducted extensive research there and co-authored a book on its bat population with Christian Ziegler.

Ziegler, a photographer and tropical ecologist, spent weeks documenting the bats. He captured a rare image of a giant big-eared bat using a camera trap. This species hunts fish with sonar and is known for its social behaviour, often sleeping together in hollow trees.

The diversity of bats on the island is striking. The greater spear-nosed bat, for example, has a wingspan of up to 70 centimetres and hunts in the quiet coves. Their varied hunting and survival strategies allow so many species to coexist in the same habitat.

Kalko and Ziegler’s book, Bat Island: A Rare Journey into the Hidden World of Tropical Bats, was published by Insight Editions. It is available for €49.99. Barro Colorado Island remains a vital site for bat research. The work of Kalko and Ziegler highlights the island’s rich biodiversity. Their book offers a detailed look into the lives of these remarkable creatures.