When I think about it, with a name like Battambang, I guess I should have realised that bats would figure in there somewhere.
Not far from Battambang are the bat caves of Phnom Sampov
The bats emerge round sunset to go hunting insects, and are an important element in controlling insects that attack the rice crop.
Weighing only 20 to 30 grams, they can neverless consume between 50 to 100% of their body weight in insects, and their sheer numbers make them a powerful force.
As we approach the caves, a statue of Buddha’s head dominates, and I have no intention of climbing up for a closer look.
Waiting for the bats to emerge from the bat cave, one sips on a beer and snacks on a BBQ rat.
Suddenly the first few start to appear:
Quickly this changes to a torrent:
There is literally a million of them, took over 15 minutes for them all to emerge.
The first swarm flew to the left:
The second swarm flew to the right.
Then they flew overhead. And bats do what bats do – bombs away! Sheltering under the awning over the sign was a great idea:
