Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Bats return to roost after a nightly forage, in which they can fly over 100km and consume twice their body weight in fruit. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Bats return to roost after a nightly forage, in which they can fly over 100km and consume twice their body weight in fruit. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

A branch collapses under the weight of sleeping bats. Bats who together weigh the equivalent of 500 elephants gather in just 15 hectares of land. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

An epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus species) hangs on a branch after being netted by researchers trying to ascertain the bat varieties at Kasanka National Park. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in Kasanka in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

A fruit bat is held as a satellite transmitter is tagged to track its movements. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

A fruit bat about to be released with a satellite transmitter that will tracks its movements. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Bat 'Mercury' flies off after having a transmitter attached. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Thousands of bats swarm above the forest just after sunset. The dispersal takes half an hour each evening. Every year an estimated eight million straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) are among the seven different bat species that arrive in the abundant Kasanka National Park in October. Despite the scale of the migration little is known about where the bats come from or where they go. Satellite transmitters have been placed on four animals to trace their movements. Early data show that they travel thousands of kilometers after departing Zambia, in search of food.

Portraits - 3rd prize