'The whole is not just the sum of individuals.' Understanding this is an important step in understanding a system of both natural world and human induced systems. What makes a complex system and how each element/individual affect the other is a key in devising and predicting the possible outcomes and solutions.
As a part of understanding the living complexities of the world, I chose Vampire Bats as my area of study. As a first step towards understanding a system, it was important to find a description for this particular being. I started with studying the ecology as well as various social and cultural contexts that define these beings in today's world.
Understanding Vampire Bats and their Ecology
In order to understand the various interconnections of Vampire bats, I looked at several aspects of anatomy/characteristics, social behavior, evolution that define and form these mammals.
My research on Vampire bats brought out some interesting aspects like their special power for echolocation and heat sensing for detecting the prey, which is not true to any other mammal. Bats and therefore Vampire bats are quite important for our ecosystem as they provide help in pollination and seed dispersal, they also consume copious amounts of insects thereby reducing the farmer's use for pesticides. They are even a source of inspiration for high tech innovation in the field of echolocation. It is also known that vampire bat's saliva is used in medicines.
A part of my research also focused on the pop culture around Vampires in various films, novels and folklore. Dracula is one of the most inspiring version of Vampire myth, being translated into a movie starring Bella Lugosi which takes into account the Transylvania Count who uses supernatural abilities, including mind control and shape-shifting, to prey upon innocent victims, which inspired countless works thereafter.
A mood board inspired by various Vampire movies.
Threats faced by Vampire Bats
Vampire bats have been subject to habitat loss and vandalism because of their bad reputation in the human world. Caves where the bats use for habitat have been cleared out too for people to go exploring them.
Although it is very rare for humans to get bitten by Vampire bats disbelief has led to wide-scale eradication attempts, including burning, gassing, and dynamiting of potential roosts. Unfortunately, these control programs have resulted in considerable losses of harmless or beneficial bat species such as fruit bats, as well as other cave-dwelling animals . There have been attempt of killing vampire bats in latin America during the 1970’s using vampiricide (Vampiricide, a mixture of poison and petroleum jelly) an anticoagulent paste applied to capture bats and spread to the colony by mutual grooming after the treated bats return to the roost
This understanding led me to create awareness material for Vampire bats through illustrations using social media platforms and website.
