The RELCOM experience: a network for the conservation of the Latin American and Caribbean chiropterofauna

Abstract

We present the experience of the Latin American and Caribbean Network for Bat Conservation (RELCOM) and the fruits it has harvested. RELCOM was born 15 years ago, in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico, where a group of bat specialists and leaders in their countries met in an international congress. Today, RELCOM brings together 23 Programs for Bat Conservation from 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The project Important Areas and Sites for Bats Conservation emerged in 2011 and today has more than 200 areas in 21 countries.