Thread by @GiveBatsABreak

🦇🏆BAT WORLD CUP 2021 COMPETITORS🏆🦇

Good day to you all and welcome to this year’s #BWC2021 introduction thread!

Follow along to learn how this is gonna go down 🧵 1/

First of all, you’ll notice that there are now bats identified in each bracket

Yes, the text is small: save the picture to your smart device or computer so you can blow up the image and read the names 2/

This year’s bats are, with the exception of two species, all in Vunerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered status with the IUCN Red List 3/

I’ve tried to make my selections from each Family within which there is at least one vulnerable or endangered species, and I’ve arranged the bracket in such a way as to pair off family vs family early on so there isn’t too much similarity between competitors in later rounds 4/

The exceptions?

One I call “Jack’s Choice” after the World Bat Twitter Conference organizer and the one who has invited me to host the Cup both years now, Dr. Jack Hooker

He has selected the Greater horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) 5/

The other, while not the winner of last year’s competition, was a clear crowd favorite so I’ve named it the “People’s Choice” selection for this year

You guessed it: the Hoary bat (Lasiurus cinereus)! #TeamSkylion 6/

For the first six days of competition there will be two rounds per day

Round One- 12:30pm EST
Round Two- 3:30pm EST

There will only be *one* round per day during the semifinals and final, which will all begin at 12:30pm EST 7/

Unlike last year, there will be one and ONLY ONE master competition thread in which each poll and all bat information will be posted

Last year’s experience was, I’m sure, clunky and confusing for many. I hope this year is easier to follow 8/

The polls will include each bat’s:

Picture
Name
Location
IUCN Red List Status

and conservation measures (if any) in place to save their respective populations 9/

Polls will be open for 24 hrs each to give folks from all around the world the opportunity to vote, RT/QT, and promote the bat they wish to move forward in the competition 10/

Are you a photographer or bat scientist that has a rad photo or video of one of the competitors? Please share it!

Know something mind-blowing about a species? Please enlighten us!

I want this to be as informative as it is fun. Show off what you know! 11/

Bat fans: BE CREATIVE

Last year’s competition inspired an absolute metric ton of memes, some artwork, and at least one country (Nigeria 🇳🇬) determined that their country would select a national bat! 🤯

HAVE FUN WITH THIS BECAUSE BY GOLLY I’M GONNA 12/

Lastly, the winner of this year’s competition will be announced smack dab in the middle of the last day of the World Bat Twitter Conference #WBTC2 on Friday May 28

I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to follow the conference as there will be wild amounts of bat research and knowledge 13/

That’s all I’ve got for now

Rest up tonight because tomorrow, my friends...

IT ALL BEGINS TOMORROW

HAPPY BAT WORLD CUP EVE!

🦇✨

14/14

⚠️CORRECTION⚠️

The FINAL will begin on Friday May 28, the winner will be announced exactly one day later, Saturday May 29