“We got one!” a voice yelled to a crowd of students who were gathered on the dark road behind Foxy’s Beach Restaurant and Tamarind Bar on Jost Van Dyke.
A Jamaican fruit-eating bat had been caught in one of two nearly invisible nets strung across the road.
Dr. Renata Platenberg, an assistant professor from the University of the Virgin Islands, took the mammal in her gloved hand as children gathered around. It was one of several nocturnal animals they had seen up close that night.
Dr. Platenberg teaches natural resource management at UVI, but on Friday she collaborated with the JVD Preservation Society to teach community members about the island’s wildlife.
During a PowerPoint presentation, the herpetologist spoke about several nocturnal animals.
After her talk, the attendees got an opportunity to see some of the same creatures up close, including a pregnant lizard and several recently caught tree frogs that were on display in glass jars.
Dr. Platenberg also walked around carrying a Virgin Islands boa, which she allowed attendees to touch.
See the June 13, 2013 edition for full coverage.
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