The Case For Vampire Bats

In Latin America, vampire bats drink the blood of big animals and spread the deadly rabies virus. Cows die. People die. Ranchers want them exterminated. But scientists are discovering these bats not only have weird abilities - they also form human-like friendships. Does that mean they should be protected? Or would the world be better without them?
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To learn more about Gerry Carter's research on the social behavior of vampire bats: socialbat.org
For More Info on bats and other interesting critters:
The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: www.stri.si.edu/
Credits:
Produced by Ryan Kellman and Adam Cole (@cadamole)
Senior Editors: Alison Richards and Andrea Kissack
Supervising Editor: Anne Gudenkauf
Tree loss map courtesy of Global Forest Watch (www.globalfores...)
Infrared footage courtesy of Gerry Carter and Rob Mies
Bat tongue: Marco Tschapka et. al.
(advances.scienc...)
Echolocation: Melville J. Wohlgemuth et. al. (journals.plos.o...)
Bat capturing moths: Aaron Corcoran ( • Bat echolocating and c... )
Wolves: Sicmanta (vimeo.com/1056...)
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