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About Us

Inspiring bat conservation worldwide

Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation (MTBC) was founded by Dr. Merlin Tuttle. He has studied and photographed bats worldwide for more than 60 years. He founded and led Bat Conservation International (BCI) for nearly 30 years, then left BCI in 2009 and founded MTBC.

Merlin’s unique photography and communication first led to global appreciation of bats as safe, invaluable, even cute, and likable. No one has better demonstrated the power of combining captivating photos with sound science to win friends instead of battles for bats. Nor has anyone better demonstrated how conservation can benefit humans. Merlin’s legendary photos and experience provide invaluable guidance and inspiration that must be preserved and shared for future generations.

MTBC is now Merlin’s sole source of support, both for his ongoing conservation efforts and for preservation of his priceless photo collection and legacy resources.n

The Current Problem

Bats comprise one-fifth of the world’s mammal species and are globally essential to environmental health. Nevertheless, they are in alarming decline. In the U.S. and Canada, millions are dying from an introduced fungus. And millions more die annually in the U.S. alone from careless use of wind turbines. Worldwide, countless bats are lost due to cave disturbance and destruction, and some have even become extinct due to overharvesting. Like all life on earth, bats are increasingly threatened by habitat loss and climate change. However, unlike most animals, they are easily misunderstood and victimized by exaggerated disease speculation, leading to deliberate eradication campaigns with disastrous consequences. Because most bats rear just one pup per year and live in large colonies, they are especially vulnerable to extinction.

Why We Must Act Now

Bats are the primary controllers of vast numbers of night-flying insects. Single colonies can consume tons of crop pests nightly, and they pollinate and carry seeds for many of our planet’s most important plants. If bat decline is not reversed, we could face dire consequences such as billions of dollars of agricultural and forestry losses in single countries, dramatically increased reliance on pesticides that can cause cancer and dementia, increased threats from mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile and Malaria, and loss of billion-dollar-a-year crops for lack of bat pollinators.

Hope For The Future

Merlin has repeatedly demonstrated the power of education. His successes on behalf of traditionally misunderstood and persecuted bats are unprecedented, providing a model of hope for the future. His work and legacy have never been more important. We provide clear, science-based explanations to dispel fear and help people benefit from conserving bats. Once people understand the value of bats, most voluntarily become enthusiastic protectors. When thousands of bats began moving into newly created crevices beneath the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas, misinformed health officials warned they were mostly rabid and dangerous. Fearful citizens began signing petitions to have the bats eradicated. But when Merlin put fears in perspective and explained bat values, the bats were protected. Today, 1.5 million are enthusiastically welcomed. They attract millions of tourist dollars each summer, consume tons of insect pests nightly, and have harmed no one. Austin is now proud of its bat-friendly fame.

Testimonials

"Thank you so much for all the support, help and advice you've given us over the years! We really appreciate it and are so grateful to have someone like you as a mentor and role model. You are truly such an amazing inspiration!"
Sheema Abdul Aziz, PhDCo-founder & President, Rimba | rimba.ngo Principal Investigator, Project Pteropus
Probably no other biologist has done so much to influence others to study, and ultimately protect, a group of organisms as Merlin Tuttle has done for bats. I am proud to count myself as one of those who was influenced by Merlin.
Scott A. Mori, Nathaniel Lord BrittonCurator of Botany, The New York Botanical Garden
I am writing to express my deep gratitude for the amazing work you have done in Brazil. The lecture in the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation on September 15th had a great impact on the vision of ecoepidemiologists on bats. The lecture you delivered in the Brazilian Bat Research Meeting/Mammals Meeting and the time you have spent chatting with students in the two sections of the “coffee with the researcher” unquestionably had a great impact on students, their careers, and the way they can be more proactive in bat conservation. I have no words to express my gratitude for accepting my invitation and join us in Rio de Janeiro and Pirenópolis. Please keep your amazing work in bat conservation.
Dr. Ricardo MoratelliPresident, Brazilian Mammal Society
Merlin has played a pivotal and historic role in the conservation of bats. He has crafted a program that blends cutting-edge science, outstanding outreach, amazing photography and professional advocacy to engage, inspire and motivate a global audience. For the past three decades, Merlin has been at the forefront of every important conservation issue facing bats.
John P. HayesChair, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida
Thank you for all you do for bats. These photos are treasures.
Janell CannonAuthor of Stellaluna
Fantastic, unsurpassed milestone! Congratulations Dr. Merlin Tuttle! An inspiration and hero to bats and chiroptologists worldwide! I Would not be where I am today, loving what I do, were it not for Merlin. Thank you for paving the way for all of us! Without you there would be no ‘us'.
Joseph D’AngeliThe BATCAVE at The WILD Life! Conservation Center
Merlin has a self-sacrificing drive deep in his heart and a sincere dedication that he must share. Add communication, conflict resolution and leadership skills and you have a rock solid leader. And he’s a darned good biologist, too.
Cal ButchkoskiWildlife Biologist, Pennsylvania Game Commission
I just wanted to thank you for sharing your time to talk with me. I received a lot of good advice and listening to your stories was very inspiring. It was unbelievably exciting being able to talk to the biggest name in bat conservation! Thank you for all that you have done and for all that you continue to do, especially in talking with people like me who are eager to pursue a career in bat conservation.
Kimberly Linnell
Merlin’s visit in 2000 was a memorable milestone in bat conservation and provided huge impetus and positive media attention to fledgling South African bat groups.
Peter TaylorBat Interest Group of KwaZulu-Natal, Durbon, South Africa
It is sheer magic for someone to take on an animal group like bats and give them a totally new public image. Because of Merlin’s magic—his great drive—many, many people see bats today as charming, furry, innocent, cute, and most of all useful Heroes of the Ecosystem.
Sally WalkerFounder, Zoo Outreach Organization, India
I have known Merlin for almost 30 years. After he burst on the scene at the National Geographic Society, I was his editor and advisor. Merlin is a remarkable character, fitting right in with the many other notable scientists who have received research grants from the Society, people like Jane Goodall, Louis and Mary Leakey, Dian Fossey—the list is long but exclusive. So why include Merlin? Not just because of his stature as a scientist, but also because he understood from the beginning that promoting bats and their importance was a vital key to our understanding of what really matters on our planet.
Mary SmithSenior Editor (retired), The National Geographic Society
I have never met anyone who has a better innate understanding of bat behavior than Merlin Tuttle. Moreover, the impact of his conservation work has been felt throughout the world. Merlin has really changed the way that people think about bats—and by so doing he has secured protection for decades to come.
Rachel PageStaff Scientist, Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Merlin’s approach and style has always been one of education and not admonishment, of the careful choice of words and, most importantly, of leading by a positive example.
Mark J. BloschockVertex Engineering Inc.
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Team

Merlin D. Tuttle

Founder & Executive Director

Merlin started his bat career as a teenager, has done field research on every continent where bats live, photographed hundreds of species. He founded and led Bat Conservation International for 30 years, left in 2009, and founded MTBC. He has been a key force in changing the way the world perceives bats. Merlin is comfortable crawling deep into caves, lugging equipment through tropical jungles, or standing on a stage introducing the world to the Secret Lives of Bats. 

Summary Vitae
Merlin's History

Teresa M. Nichta

Operations ManageR

Teresa’s core responsibility is managing Merlin’s extensive photographic collection. She manages social media, video production, field planning, development, correspondence and all things in between. She loves photography and dreams.

Danielle A. Cordani

Conservation Projects
Coordinator

Danielle is a Wildlife Biologist, providing expertise in bat biology. She addresses conservation issues and generates excitement about protecting our favorite winged friends! She is an avid scuba diver and world traveler.

Marla Gostisha

Business Coordinator

Marla coordinates donor records and office administration. She is a competitive tennis player and enjoys cycling and photography.

Duncan Hicks

Membership and Grants Coordinator

Duncan coordinates member support and grant coordination. He enjoys reading, listening to and playing music, and watching motorsports.

Judy Curran

BookkeepeR

Judy is responsible for collecting, recording, and interpreting MTBC financial information. She lives to travel, exercise, and read.

David Shuler

Administrative assistant

David provides logistical and technical support for MTBC. He enjoys computer engineering, playing soccer, hiking, and other outdoor activities.

Alejandro Silveyra

Web Developer

Alejandro focuses on Merlin Tuttle’s website development as well as other behind-the-scenes software matters.

Board of Directors

Dr. Michael Ryan

Mike Ryan is the Clark Hubbs Reagents Professor in Zoology at the University of Texas, Austin. He is a highly awarded animal behaviorist, has published more than 350 research papers and five books, chairs the Scientific Advisory Board of the Max Planck Institute, is a Senior Research Associate at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, and serves as Vice Chair of Merlin Tuttle's Bat Conservation Board of Directors.

Michael Lazari Karapetian

Michael Lazari Karapetian has over twenty years of investment management experience. He has a degree in business management, is a certified NBA agent, and gained early experience as a money manager for the Bank of America where he established model portfolios for high-net-worth clients. In 2003 he founded Lazari Capital Management, Inc. and Lazari Asset Management, Inc. He is President and CIO of both and manages over a half a billion in assets. In his personal time he champions philanthropic causes. He serves on the board of Moravian College and has a strong affinity for wildlife, both funding and volunteering on behalf of endangered species.

Linda Moore

Linda was the Director of Administration and Finance for Bat Conservation International for 28 years (retired in 2013). She now serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation’s Board of Directors.

Jeff Acopian

Jeff Acopian has a lifelong dedication to conservation, and for more than 25 years he has been a staunch supporter of Merlin’s bat conservation efforts. Jeff is an electrical engineer and Vice-President of Acopian Power Supplies (www.acopian.com).

Dr. Rachel Page

Rachel Page conducted postdoctoral research as a Humboldt fellow at the Max Planck Institute in Seewiesen, Germany. Page has been a staff scientist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Panama since 2009. Her research focuses on behavior, sensory ecology and predator-prey interactions in bats.

Mark Bloschock

Mark Bloschock participated in the Congress Avenue Bridge expansion that led to occupation by the now famous bat colony. He currently serves as Director of Maintenance Operations at VRX, Inc. and lectures nationally and internationally on highway safety as well as on his award-winning accomplishments creating habitat for bats in bridges.

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