Photo caption 1: Ratbat in Jamaica.

Mr. Damion Whyte, Lecturer in the Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, Mona received a generous donation of acoustic monitoring equipment from Wildlife Acoustics, valued at approximately USD 5,000, to support post-hurricane biodiversity assessments. The donated equipment includes three SM4 acoustic units designed for monitoring birds and frogs, two SM4 Bat units, and two microphones, providing critical tools for documenting wildlife presence and activity following the disturbance caused by the hurricane.

Photo caption 2: Acoustic monitoring equipment from Wildlife Acoustics.

Additional support was provided by Professor Alex Rogers (England), who donated four AudioMoth recorders and carrying cases, valued at USD 600 (USD 150 each). These compact and versatile devices further enhance the capacity for long-term acoustic monitoring across multiple habitats.

Complementing the equipment donations, an international team of researchers was present in Jamaica conducting cave and bat surveys to assess the ecological effects of Hurricane Melissa. The team included:

• Dr. Karen Vanderwolf (University of Waterloo and New Brunswick Museum), an expert in cave ecosystems, fungal ecology, and bat biology.
• Mr. Ryan Byrnes (Swaim Biological Inc.), a consultant with expertise in bats, caves, and owls.
• Ms. Erika Noel (McCormick Biological Inc.), a consultant and wildlife rehabilitator with research experience on bats and foxes in California.
• Dr. José Gabriel Martínez-Fonseca (Northern Arizona University), a researcher specialising in Neotropical bat ecology and an internationally recognised bat photographer.
• Dr. Phillip Oelbaum (York University), a postdoctoral researcher specialising in bat ecology.

Photo caption 3: Mr. Damion Whyte (left) joined by the international team of researchers in Jamaica conducting cave and bat surveys.

Photo caption 4: Members of 'ratbat pack' conducting cave and bat survey in Jamaica.

Photo caption 5: Hiking to a Cave in St. Catherine to conduct cave and bat survey in Jamaica.

Photo caption 6: Members of 'ratbat pack' conducting cave and bat survey in Jamaica.

Photo caption 7: Ratbat in Jamaica.

The research activities are being conducted under an approved research permit, with Mr. Whyte serving as Principal Investigator (PI).