A multidisciplinary research project called SELFCURE is exploring whether bats change their behavior when they are ill, potentially using natural remedies to recover. Scientists Ralph Simon from Germany’s Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), Rachel Page from the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) Bat Lab, and Dan Becker from the University of Oklahoma are leading the study. The team is examining how bats might adjust their foraging areas, roosting habits, and social behavior when sick, and whether they consume plants with medicinal properties. This research could offer insights into how bats handle disease, which may help in protecting their habitats and improving human health through lessons from their immune systems. Bats are known for their long lifespans, strong social bonds, and remarkable spatial memory. Some species even communicate about roosting spots or food sources. Because they can learn from observing other bats, scientists are curious if they might also learn to use medicinal plants to treat themselves. The SELFCURE project, which began in 2023, aims to study how bat behavior changes when they are sick and whether they can learn self-cure behaviors by watching others. Earlier pilot experiments with captive bats showed that sick bats selected different fruits, some of which contain medicinal compounds. To study bat behavior in the wild, the team captured more than 50 Carollia bats in a tunnel in Gamboa, Panama. Each bat was given a unique number and underwent a full medical checkup, including weight, temperature, and blood tests. The bats were divided into three groups: a control group injected with a saline solution, and two groups injected with substances that mimic bacterial or viral infections without making the bats sick. To track their movements, the researchers used lightweight VHF (Very High Frequency) transmitters, which emit signals every second. Portable antennas were used to automatically track the bats’ movements, helping researchers determine if sick bats move less, stay near their roosts, or isolate themselves. The researchers also used infrared cameras to monitor the bats’ behavior in their roosts, recording their actions continuously for two days. Reflective tape on the bats’ backs helped identify individuals. The team is currently analyzing data collected during the March field season in Gamboa and plans to continue their research in Panama next year. The study aims to determine if bats can recognize the curative properties of certain foods and share this knowledge within their social groups. Scientists hope that understanding these behaviors could lead to new approaches in human healthcare.