Nocturna - Cesária Huo
Cesária Huo: Conservation Biologist and Bat Researcher - Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique; Mentored by Dr Piotr Naskrecki; NEWF African Science Film Fellow (“A Voz de Morcegos” The Voice of Bats ); Wild Hope episode “Guano Gold“ in collaboration with NEWF and HHMI Tangled Bank Studios.
Funding for Cesaria’s character was provided by NEWF. We hope this extends the impact of her bat Research and Films. Keen to help us, Be in Touch!
Her Work: “My current research is about bat social vocalizations. I have documented complex social acoustic behavior in different species of bats. For the first time in science, I have shown the existence of social songs in two families of bats ( Nycteridae and Hipposideridae). These results have practical application in conservation because I could create a tool that will allow researchers to detect and monitor bat populations using bioacoustics data. I am also creating the first database, like a dictionary, of bat social vocalizations in Mozambique which will be useful for other researchers throughout the continent when conducting a similar study with the same species.”
Her Scientific Spark: “Natural sciences at primary school and biology at high school called my attention to science. One of the particular events that made me pursue a conservation career and work with bats, was my participation in a biodiversity survey organized by Gongorosa National Park in 2016. On that occasion I saw a bat for the first time.”
Her Superpowers: “Ultrasonic hearing! I use specialized devices to record ultrasound bat vocalizations and I am able to distinguish the different types of vocalizations that different species of bat produce.”
Her Heroes: “My parents are my heroes because they have done anything they could to guarantee the best education, healthcare, access to opportunities and many other things for me and my brothers.”
Her Top Tip: “We need to continuously produce knowledge while also thinking about the growth and development of our people and our continent. Keep making yourself a scientist, keep challenging yourself to do more and better and make us proud of your contribution to a better world.”
On Overcoming Challenges: ”Although I like science, I am not good at physics but that does not stop me to being an excellent biologist. When I was in high school, physics was very difficult for me but today when I have to study or interpret something related to physics, I can do it better. It is important to recognize our weaknesses and from there learn to work on it and overcome it. If necessary, do not be afraid to ask for help.”
Characteristics Needed to Succeed (in order): Curiosity, creativity, hard work and communication.
What Else you Need: Integrity, honesty and responsibility.
Favourite Science/Nature Fact: “Like birds, some species of bats can produce songs, but because they are ultrasonic social vocalizations, we cannot naturally hear them like we do with birds songs.”
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