Cancún University Hosts Unique Urban Bat Cave, First of Its Kind in Southern Mexico

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The University of the Caribbean in Cancún hosts the only bat cave located within an urban environment in southern Mexico and Latin America, a site recently recognized for its conservation importance.

Jennifer Méndez Torres, an environmental engineering professor at the university, said the cave measures 52 meters wide and 5 meters deep, containing four internal chambers that currently house more than 220,000 bats.

“The cave was discovered in 2015 during a class walk,” Méndez Torres said. “Students noticed these holes, became curious, and heard the sounds. At that time, only one species was recorded, and in 2021 we began direct collaboration.”

The cavern serves as a permanent refuge and maternity space. According to researchers, six species have been identified in the cave: three insect-eating species, one nectar-feeding species, and two fruit-eating species.

Specialists explained that the conditions the space provides are crucial for the reproductive success of these species, as it functions as both a permanent refuge and a maternity site where females gestate, give birth, and care for their young.

The Latin American and Caribbean Network for Bat Conservation (Relcom) recently presented the university with a recognition award to help preserve refuges like this one, which are fundamental for the survival of these mammals.

“One of the main threats against bats is urbanization,” said Celia Isela Selem Salas, Relcom coordinator. “The fact that these refuges exist in a highly urbanized environment highlights the importance of protecting the site. This refuge constitutes one of the main maternity sites.”

Mexico has only 13 other sites with this category, making the University of the Caribbean bat cave the country’s 14th recognized bat conservation site.