There is a quieter side to Mumbai’s wilderness — one that exists beyond the familiar chorus of construction and ceaseless traffic. In the rocky caves and forgotten corners reside creatures who have learnt to thrive within the metropolis, revealing themselves only to those who are willing to pause and look a little closer. Among them is a mammal that has long occupied an uneasy and mysterious place in our imagination.

This weekend, the spotlight falls on the Fulvus Leaf-nosed Bat (Hipposideros fulvus) at the Mandapeshwar Caves. Naturalist Explorers is inviting curious Mumbaikars to step into its world through a guided bat walk curated by bat researcher Rajkumar Patel and bat enthusiast Masira Shaikh. The experience offers an intimate introduction to the species and its habitat, while opening up a larger conversation about the wildlife that continues to exist within the city’s changing landscape.