Bats were caught in nets on a daily basis for use in this movie. Moreover, said captured bats were only used for a single day and alas many of them died throughout the production of the film. As a direct result of this latter occurrence, both Jackie Cooper and Barbara Babcock subsequently spoke to the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences about universalizing the methods of treating animals in a humane fashion in American movies shot in other countries.
An earlier draft of the script didn't have vampire bats in it.
This film was shot in and around Mexico City.
Director Sutton Riley went on to direct several episodes of Airwolf which also featured Chosen Survivors actor, Alex Cord.