Rare bat sighting spurs habitat protection in Philippines
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In Apayao, Philippines, a monitoring team from the provincial government and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) documented a golden-crowned flying fox, a critically endangered bat species.
The team conducted the survey in Flora in August, also confirming the presence of large flying foxes and tracking a previously known Philippine eagle. The golden-crowned flying fox, one of the world’s largest bats, is endemic to the Philippines and faces a high risk of extinction.
The monitoring revealed that the bats roosted with only one species per tree during the survey. Field teams also tracked Nariha Kabugao, a Philippine eagle previously observed in Apayao province, though they did not visually confirm its presence during this specific monitoring period. The DENR recognized the importance of protecting the bats, as they serve as prey for the Philippine eagle.
Because of these findings, the DENR proposed that the local government of Flora designate the area as a Critical Habitat. Dorothy Joy Cayaba of the DENR-CENRO Calanasan explained that this proposal is vital for conserving both the Philippine eagle and the threatened flying fox populations. Each new species documented strengthens the basis for habitat protection and future research in the region.
