MUMA · FIELDWORK & INNOVATION

Real projects.
Conservation in action.

From field monitoring to immersive experiences. Explore the work, methods and partnerships behind each project.

Discuss your project →

Research and monitoring

Fieldwork, bioacoustics and shelter monitoring. Each project explains its methods, results and limitations.

Bat box installed on a palm at SELWO Aventura.

Since 2025 · Fundación Parques Reunidos

SELWO Aventura Estepona

Monitoring a network of 15 bat boxes and nocturnal activity through inspections and ultrasound recording. Data support studies of feeding, movements and seasonal shelter use, with specialist review of acoustic identifications.

Monitoring data

In May 2026, 8,160 acoustic passes, 1,005 feeding buzzes and at least nine species or acoustic taxa were validated over four complete nights. Passes describe activity, not a number of individuals.

One box occupied by Pipistrellus was confirmed in February; no individuals were observed during the May inspection of all 15 boxes. Repeated inspections support study of seasonal use.

Learn more →

Fieldwork beside a shelter in the wetland network.

Since 2024 · Wetland research

Fuente de Piedra and Laguna Dulce

We study bat activity using shelters and ultrasound recording at both wetlands. Field campaigns document use of the network and the surrounding feeding habitat; new results are incorporated once validated.

Monitoring data

In 2025, the main station recorded 34 complete nights and 14,628 five-second segments containing bat activity. Use of the shelter network by Pipistrellus was confirmed.

Monitoring continued in August 2026. New results await validation before inclusion in the series.

Learn more →

2026 · Research and analysis underway

Fundación Cueva de Nerja

Ultrasound recording, infrared cameras and observation are used to study the cave entrances and surroundings. Analysis seeks to identify activity patterns and provide conservation recommendations compatible with management of this natural heritage site.

Learn more →

2023–2026 · EBD-CSIC collaboration

Nóctulo Project

We collaborate with the team at the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) to study the greater noctule, Nyctalus lasiopterus. Field campaigns, biometric measurements and scientific sampling contribute to knowledge of the species and its conservation.

Learn more →

2026 · Pilot network and bioacoustics

Málaga Viva Lab

Five double-chamber bat boxes installed on trees using adjustable fixings and georeferenced locations. An initial four-night recording campaign starts the monitoring programme and informs subsequent inspections.

Learn more →

Since 2025 · Urban conservation

Málaga TechPark

Eight bat boxes monitored through non-invasive inspections and walks with ultrasound detectors. Surveys document condition, occupancy and signs of use to integrate bat conservation into the technology park’s green spaces.

Monitoring data

Inspection on 18 August 2026: eight boxes in good condition, one directly occupied and three with bats or signs of use. These three include the occupied box; they do not represent three simultaneously occupied boxes.

The series includes five inspections since 2025 and 51 georeferenced acoustic records. Records describe activity; automated identifications require expert review.

Learn more →

Since 2025 · Shelters and outreach

Caterpillar

Six double-chamber bat boxes installed with non-invasive network inspections. Environmental outreach also engages people at the centre. No bats or signs of use were observed in the October 2025 inspection; monitoring continues.

Learn more →

Agricultural surroundings inspected during Guadacano monitoring.

2026 · Environmental monitoring

PSFV Guadacano

Potential roosts and nocturnal activity are assessed through visual inspection, bioacoustics and infrared cameras. Observed signs are interpreted cautiously and do not confirm an active colony or sustained occupancy of a structure.

Learn more →

Agriculture and habitat improvements

Bat shelters and habitat measures on farms and managed sites to support bats and biodiversity.

Organic viticulture

Hacienda Los Arcos · organic viticulture

Bat conservation and surveys using shelters integrated into an organic vineyard in Málaga. The project connects habitat management and wildlife monitoring to support bats in agricultural landscapes.

Learn more · Spanish →

Since 2022 · Habitat improvements

Parador Málaga Golf and Parador de Nerja

Dune protection and revegetation, pollinator gardens, wildlife shelters and environmental interpretation at Málaga Golf. At Nerja, six identified and georeferenced bat boxes provide a network for ongoing monitoring.

Learn more →

Technology and museums

Virtual reality, digitisation and interpretation of natural heritage for museums and sustainable tourism.

Virtual reality and outreach at the Notranjski Museum in Postojna.

2025 · European cooperation

ST3ER · science and sustainable tourism

Two digitised caves, three species integrated into MuMa VR and cave tourism studies in Spain, Portugal and Slovenia. Our participation brings together research, immersive experiences and interpretation of natural heritage.

Learn more →

MuMa Bat Cave Experience at Grutas da Moeda, Portugal.

Since 2023 · Immersive experiences

MuMa VR

MuMa Bat Cave Experience and MuMa Bats 360 introduce bats and underground heritage through virtual reality. Two experiences with different interaction methods, used in museums and activities without adding visits to the colonies represented.

Learn more →

A scene from MUMA BATS 360, implemented at Zuheros.

2026 · Museum technology

Zuheros Museum

MUMA BATS 360 installed on two headsets, with staff training at the Bat Cave Museum. A 3D bat exhibit complements the experience, supporting exploration of anatomy, echolocation and conservation.

Learn more →

Outreach and participation

Programmes and collaborations that introduce scientific knowledge of bats to different audiences.

Conservation and public participation in Pizarra.

2025–2026 · Rural municipalities

Microclimas

Guaro, Almargen and Pizarra have a network of nine bat boxes. The project combines conservation and public participation, supported the development of MUMA BATS 360 and held three Bat Night events with around 130 attendees.

Learn more →

2026 · Bat Night events

Fundación BIOPARC

Events at BIOPARC Fuengirola combine talks, 3D models, MuMa VR and walks with ultrasound detectors. The collaboration also includes content and technical support for BIOPARC Valencia, introducing conservation to different age groups.

Learn more →

Outreach and public participation

Plaza Mayor · science events

Talks, three-dimensional models, MuMa VR and ultrasound listening explore bat anatomy, navigation and relationships with insects. Participatory activities connect scientific knowledge with conservation.

Learn more →

Bat Night activity at dusk beside the Guadalhorce.

Ongoing programme · Environmental education

Bat Night Málaga

Talks, 3D models and MuMa VR combine with walks using ultrasound detectors to interpret nocturnal activity. The programme adapts to municipalities, natural areas and organisations, using observation and outreach without capturing animals.

Learn more →

Work area · Environmental interpretation

Sustainable tourism in Málaga

Environmental interpretation and technology for visitors, educational centres and tourism organisations. Cave digitisation expands access to underground heritage and complements nature activities without adding visits to the colonies represented.

Learn more →

Bat box network: map and monitoring

Explore the MuMa shelter network and the photographs, locations and field observations included in its records. Information is updated through monitoring visits; it is not real-time detection.

Monitoring dashboard

Explore registered bat boxes, inspections and occupancy evidence by project. The dashboard shows monitoring trends, comparisons between box models and the history of each shelter. Its map uses approximate locations.

Recorded occupancy uses the latest available inspection for each active bat box. Visits may have taken place on different dates; a box found empty during one inspection may be used at another time.

The imported historical series is retained. New pending inspections are excluded until validated. Data is loaded when the dashboard is opened or reloaded; it does not come from real-time sensors.

Open the full-screen dashboard ↗

Team access · enter monitoring data

Use your authorised account to register new bat boxes, field inspections and maintenance issues. Each inspection is saved in the database for validation. Once validated, it appears when the public dashboard is reloaded.

Open bat box management (Spanish) ↗

Photographic map of the network

The Google map provides photographs and project records. It is maintained separately: inspection entries update the dashboard and its map, but do not automatically update this Google map.

Open the full map ↗