The National Trust Visiting Scientist Programme, sponsored by Cayman Airways and the Darwin Initiative, is hosting Wildlife Biologist, Anne Louise Band from Bat Conservation International.

Ms Band is compiling post-Ivan data on the survival rates of Cayman Islands’ rare and endemic bat species, especially those types that dwell in forests and caves. Cayman has nine distinct species of bats and only one of them is known to roost in houses or bat houses. The rest survive in the wild, in much the same habitats that birds use.

As the bird population has plummeted due to loss of food from the destructive winds of Hurricane Ivan, especially certain species that rely upon wild fruits and nuts, it is important to know how badly the bat populations have suffered.

Ms Band routinely takes students and interested National Trust members with her while she mist-nets to capture and release Cayman’s lesser-known bat species. She will be reporting her findings with a colourful slide show at the Brasserie Conference Room on Wednesday, 24 May 24 at noon – 2:00 pm. Contact Cindy Adam at the National Trust - 949-0121 for reservations.