The chapter delves into the speaker's fear and fascination with bats, recounting a personal bat encounter and their journey to overcome their unease through a meeting with bat expert Rodrigo Medellin. It explores Rodrigo's passion for bats, his conservation efforts, and the positive image bats held in Maya culture. The chapter follows a group led by Rodrigo as they venture into a jungle ruin to study and collect data on bats, showcasing the unique and awe-inspiring experience of interacting with these fascinating creatures.
On the final episode of “Animal,” Sam Anderson travels to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula to meet with a creature he's long been afraid of: bats.
For photos and videos of Sam's journey to the Yucatán, and to listen to the full series, visit nytimes.com/animal. You can search for “Animal” wherever you get your podcasts.