Bat-tastic Study, Belizean Scientist Explores Bat Behaviour to Strengthen Conservation Efforts

During the sixteenth “Bat-a-thon”, a group of 80-some researchers converged at Belize’s Lamanai Archaeological Reserve in early May to study close to 80 species of winged mammals—bats. 

Gliselle Marin, a PhD biology student at York University in Toronto, is the only Belizean participant of the study in northern Belize. 

Marin, who sports bat-themed earrings and a bat tattoo, emphasised the unique behaviours and adaptive abilities of bats, which she believes are crucial for understanding broader ecological impacts. “When I actually started working with them and realising we have close to 80 species of bats,” she says, “I was like, ‘Okay, it’s kind of crazy that I’ve been in science my whole life and was never taught that we have this diversity of bats in Belize.’”

 

 

Marin’s research focusses on the dietary flexibility of bats, analysing bat faeces to determine their food sources. This allows a better understanding of how habitat fragmentation affects the diet and overall survival of bats. 

As Belize faces increasing deforestation and climate challenges, Marin’s grassroots conservation efforts act as a bridge to local knowledge through scientific research. 

For Marin, the core message is straightforward: Everything is interconnected—people, bats, and the forest. “We’re as special as everything else around us,” she says.