Agaves and bats

This large format print story was part of the March 2023 issue of National Geographic magazine. It received an Award of Excellence from the Society for News Design.

Agaves and nectar-feeding bats coevolved and depend on each other: through massive nectar-rich flower displays the plants lure the hungry flying mammals that carry the pollen from agave to agave. This connection is being disrupted by the booming mescal and tequila markets for which agaves are the raw material.

The online version (which may be behind a paywall) elaborates on the pressure spirit production is putting on both plants and animals. Conservation organizations and tequila-certifying programs are working to protect agaves for the bats and for farmers.