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The Bat Man of Mexico

David Attenborough narrates the story of Rodrigo Medellin, Mexico's very own 'Bat Man', who has dedicated his life to saving bats. Now the legendary drink tequila is also at stake.

David Attenborough narrates the story of Rodrigo Medellin. Since he first kept vampire bats in his bathroom as a child, Rodrigo has dedicated his life to saving them. Now Mexico's most famous export, tequila, is at stake. Rodrigo's beloved lesser long-nosed bat is crucial to the liquor - pollinating the plants the drink is made from. To save both, Rodrigo must track the bats' epic migration across Mexico - braving hurricanes, snakes, Mayan tombs and seas of cockroaches. The threats are very real for not only Rodrigo and the bats, but also for anyone with a taste for tequila.

39 minutes

Last on

Sun 28 Jul 2024 23:15
±«Óãtv Two Wales HD & Wales only

Clips

See all clips from The Bat Man of Mexico (7)

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:03

    Max Richter

    Organum

  • 00:09

    Max Richter

    Shadow Journal

  • 00:19

    Portico Quartet

    Window Seat

  • 00:23

    Portico Quartet

    Paper Scissors Stone

  • 00:24

    Ennio Morricone

    The Harvest

Behind the scenes

Selfie in bat cave

Selfie in bat cave

Director Tom Mustill (left), producer Peter Fison (centre), cameraman George Woodcock (right) in the cave of serpents, wearing masks to protect against lung diseases. 

Flying with the bats

Flying with the bats

A drone is used for aerial filming, capturing the bats in flight. 

Tricky camera positions

Tricky camera positions

Setting a cable dolly at the top of a Mayan temple deep in the rainforest. 

Behind the scenes video: Millions of bats inside the Mexican bat volcano

Behind the scenes video: Millions of bats inside the Mexican bat volcano

Director Tom Mustill and the film crew watch as millions of Mexican bats emerge from the volcano.


Filming in the bat cave

More ‘behind the scenes’ information from Tom Mustill, director of ‘The Bat Man of Mexico’. 


Please note that the title of this article includes some bad language.


Credits

Participant Rodrigo Medellin
Narrator David Attenborough
Director Tom Mustill
Producer Peter Fison
Camera Operator George Woodcock
Camera Operator James Aldred
Executive Producer David Dugan
Series Editor Roger Webb

Broadcasts

Gallery

Related Links

  • (www.iucnredlist.org)
  • (animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu)
  • (whitleyaward.org)