This project will increase knowledge on Cuban bat species using hot caves as maternity colonies during the birthing period by completing inventory and getting information on its biology. Bats activity inside the maternity colony will be documented combining acoustic and visual monitoring methods. Bat populations in both caves will be studied using Automatic Recording Units (ARU) and an array of infrared video-camera placed in different areas of the caves. Acoustic recordings will help to identify the species inhabiting the cave by means of the features of adult echolocation signals, and to get an idea about the vocal activity of newborns inside the roost.

Photographical methods will be used also to determine the individuals’ species and their distribution inside the cave. These data will serve for species inventory during the birthing season, get data on species dynamics in this vulnerable period and prepare educational materials.

Simultaneously with the research inside the caves we plan to develop an environmental education campaign about bat’s vulnerability during the birthing season and their ecological role. We plan to study not only the behaviour and ecology of bat populations during birthing season, but also to analyze the human impact over the summer. Both caves are located close to isolated communities with cattle farms. We will engage locals in our project by means of talks and workshops, where we will show them the relevance of bat populations in the development of their crops and the benefits of bats to their surrounding ecosystem; bats are the main natural controllers of crop plagues in Cuba. In the case of children, we plan to motivate them to participate in the theoretical and practical activities.

The results obtained from our project will teach the local people to use the caves with responsibility and will prepare them to continue this conservation work in the future.