Inside the Bat Cave (2020)
Inside the Bat Cave is a discussion based documentary with the presenter, Lucy Cooke, delving into the bat world; exploring their environment, understanding their adaptations and life cycle. The documentary includes the general public’s participation within scientific field work; taking the first record of Nathusius Pipistrelle in Linlithgow Palace, Edinburgh. The public’s inclusion within the conservation efforts and scientific data collection shows the capability for anyone to enter their immediate environment to recognise and appreciate the local wildlife. Inside the Bat Cave uses a combination of camera techniques to accurately display the animal anatomy and behaviour; x-rays show the similarities to the human anatomy and slow motion reveals how the bats take flight and perform a two-point landing. The documentary shifts to discuss Dr Lore Thaler’s research into human learnt echolocation for the blind as a response to bat’s ability to navigate in the dark. It is interesting how we can learn from the adaptations of wildlife to inform and attempt to learn these techniques ourselves. It has been seen that blind people using echolocation are using the primary visual cortex in their brain; which is usually activated by visual stimulus. The inclusion of a presenter throughout the documentary allows a non-scientist to participate within the experiments, data collection and study of the animals; thereby showing the enactment of research happening throughout.
‘As they fly they emit many shrill calls. They are incredibly loud, up to 140 decibels, noisier than a pneumatic drill. Yet, they are so high pitched, we can’t hear them.’
Comentarios