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"The Invisible Mammal" is a riveting feature documentary that follows the journey of "Team Fat Bat," a group of remarkable women scientists dedicated to saving North America's bats from the devastating effects of white-nose syndrome (WNS).
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The film introduces Dr. Winifred Frick, Chief Scientist of Bat Conservation International, who is deeply passionate about bat conservation. She mentors her son Darwin, instilling in him a love for science and a commitment to preserving the planet. Through Dr. Frick, we learn about the urgent threat of WNS, which has been wiping out bat populations since 2006 by the millions, especially the little brown bat.
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In 2019, Dr. Alice Chung-MacCoubrey discovers Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), the fungus that causes WNS, in Northern California, sparking a race to find a solution. Dr. Frick and her team launch "Operation Fat Bat" in Michigan, aiming to fatten up bats before hibernation to increase their chances of surviving WNS using UV lights to create a “bug buffet” outside of their hibernation roosts. However, the project faces unexpected challenges with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brings further misinformation and fear about bats. Wildlife educator Corky Quirk teaches the public that we need not fear bats, and Dr. Kevin Olival emphasizes the importance of studying bats for human health.
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As COVID restrictions ease, Operation Fat Bat resumes, and the team anticipates the results of their diligent work. The preliminary results are positive: their data shows signs of the little brown bats feeding on moths at the UV lights. The film culminates in a gathering at Bracken Cave where 20-million bats emerge from the mouth of a cave at sunset. This awe-inspiring "batnado” symbolizes hope for the future of North America's bats. "The Invisible Mammal" is a testament to the power of science, perseverance, and the human spirit in the face of adversity.
