National Geographic Society

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Winged Assassin

Published
  • Richard studies the world's largest bat species Pteropus vampyrus.
  • Richard approaches the island of Seram in his country-made longboat.
  • Richard sets a fishing-line trap along a horizontal mangrove branch in hopes of catching a large fruit bat.
  • Richard struggles against a strong current as he travels up the Salawai river in the rain.
  • Richard scans the horizon as he approaches the island of Seram in his country-made longboat.
  • Richard interviews a man with information related to the legend of Orang Bati on Seram.
  • Richard pauses in the interior of Seram's dense rainforest after hearing a peculiar call in the canopy.
  • Richard prepares to ascend 120 feet into the canopy of Seram's wild interior to uncover the animal behind the legend of Orang Bati.
  • Richard captures a wild flying fox with the help of bat biologist, Dr. Maryanto and his team of local guides.
  • Richard prepares to ascend 120 feet into the canopy of Seram's wild interior to uncover the animal behind the legend of Orang Bati.
  • Richard rappels off of the canopy platform where he spent the night on the look-out for signs of Orang Bati.
  • Richard is soaked by one of Indonesia's sudden downpours while boarding his country-made longboat.

  • That's a Big Bat

    Photograph by Djuna Ivereigh

    Richard studies the world's largest bat species Pteropus vampyrus.

  • Longboat Travel

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard approaches the island of Seram in his country-made longboat.

  • Setting a Trap

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard sets a fishing-line trap along a horizontal mangrove branch in hopes of catching a large fruit bat.

  • Fighting the Current

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard struggles against a strong current as he travels up the Salawai river in the rain.

  • Scanning the Coast

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard scans the horizon as he approaches the island of Seram in his country-made longboat.

  • Getting the Scoop

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard interviews a man with information related to the legend of Orang Bati on Seram.

  • Strange Sounds

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard pauses in the interior of Seram's dense rainforest after hearing a peculiar call in the canopy.

  • Canopy Climb

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard prepares to ascend 120 feet into the canopy of Seram's wild interior to uncover the animal behind the legend of Orang Bati.

  • Bat Capture

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard captures a wild flying fox with the help of bat biologist, Dr. Maryanto and his team of local guides.

  • Equipment Check

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard prepares to ascend 120 feet into the canopy of Seram's wild interior to uncover the animal behind the legend of Orang Bati.

  • Off the Ledge

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard rappels off of the canopy platform where he spent the night on the look-out for signs of Orang Bati.

  • Caught in the Rain

    Photograph by Brent LeRash

    Richard is soaked by one of Indonesia's sudden downpours while boarding his country-made longboat.
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