Bats in Asia Pacific Cultures

(click on the images for a larger view)

Media propagated myths about bats have long tarnished their reputation as creatures of horror and harbingers of death. It is time to undo that, and what better way than to go back to our roots? Here is a map that showcases how different countries, mythologies and cultures in the Asia Pacific celebrate and revere bats. The illustration is based on an incredible research and publication by Pteropus (Rimba, Malaysia) who also commissioned the illustration. 

Limited edition prints are available on Rimba's webstore 'The Fruit Bat Shop'. The prints can also be purchased via my webstore, shipped internationally. For orders within India, write to me on rohanchakcartoonist@gmail.com mentioning the address and contact details and the number of prints you'd like (A0: Rs. 3500, A1: Rs. 3000, with discounts on multiple orders). 

A special thanks to Mary Ruth Low and Sheema Abdul Azeez for giving me this opportunity, and the most exciting illustration project of the year, and also very generously permitting me to sell prints of the artwork!

Helmeted Hornbill Cartoons for IUCN

A set of cartoons done for the IUCN Hornbill Specialist Group on the critically endangered Helmeted Hornbill, released today on the occasion of 'Lone Hornbills Day'. A huge thanks to Aparajita Datta and Lucy Kemp for commissioning me for this. It's always a tremendous learning experience working with scientists of their caliber. 

Kopi Luwak

Some Asian Palm Civets 'talk crap' in my column with Roundglass Sustain.

Durian and Bats

China's growing demand for durian could wipe out the rainforests of South-East Asia. Bats, one of durian's most important pollinators are ironically among the worst victims of durian monoculture, as are native communities such as the Orang Asli people of Malaysia. 

The comic was commissioned by the Pteropus Project and Rimba Research, working in Malaysia to resolve this conflict and make durian farms biodiversity friendly.  We also worked on two infographics on how bats can help increase durian harvests if durian cuture is carried out sustainably. One of the infographics is aimed at farmers while the other at children and students.

A big thanks to researchers Sheema Abdul Aziz, Mary Ryth Low and Hii Ning for the opportunity. The project not only gave me a chance to acquaint myself with the intricacies of durian ecology, but also tackle the challenge of communicating the same issue to three different kinds of readers in three different ways (urban youngsters, durian farmers, and young students).